After happening by 19 factors with 5 minutes left within the third quarter of Tuesday evening’s New Yr’s Eve recreation towards the Indiana Pacers, it appeared the Milwaukee Bucks had been fully out of gasoline. The eight-time All-NBA Bucks energy ahead, taking part in in his first recreation with Milwaukee since Dec. 20, had been held to only 4 factors within the first half of the competition and seemed usually out of types.
However the Pacers pushed a bear. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks on a fierce rally late within the recreation. Milwaukee outscored Indiana by a whopping 56-29 for the remainder of the sport. Antetokounmpo personally contributed to 19 of the Bucks’ factors in that run.
The 6-foot-11 massive man completed the competition with 30 factors on 11-of-20 capturing from the ground, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals per contest.
Milwaukee made a concerted effort to pressure the Pacers into taking late jumpers, whereas stifling them on the opposite finish.
So how did the Bucks dig deep and muster the power to make such an epic comeback?
In accordance with Eric Nehm of The AthleticAntetokounmpo spoke enthusiastically after the sport about being motivated by head coach Doc Rivers’ galvanizing steering.
“Doc,” Antetokounmpo mentioned when requested to clarify why the membership didn’t quit after they had been dropping massive within the third body of the struggle. “He mentioned the identical factor he mentioned in Brooklyn. I’ve to struggle to get by this one.”
The Nets themselves rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to finally beat the Bucks, 111-105, on Thursday.
“They are going to allow us to get again within the recreation,” Antetokounmpo mentioned of the crew’s mentality, dictated by Rivers’ management. “And like when a coach says that and then you definately begin combating and also you see it goes from 19 to fifteen. After which it goes to 11. After which it goes to 7. After which it retains going… it retains going provide you with that dopamine hit. And you are like, “Okay, struggle some extra” And rapidly you lookup and it is a draw And now once you’re there, you. you say, “We must always simply win the sport, we’re already there, we should always simply play a little bit more durable.”
Milwaukee improved to 17-14 with the win, whereas dropping the Pacers to 16-18 on the yr. The Bucks could have the chance to construct on their success on Thursday, with a rematch towards the Nets. However this time, they’ll have a wholesome Antetokounmpo alongside them.
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