The Milwaukee Bucks scored 88 points in the first half today, and that was without their star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Let that sink in for a second.
The team with the best record in the league had built an 88-63 over the Washington Wizards, who despite managing a 41-29 third quarter were never able to take the lead back in the second half.
Antetokounmpo, who was rested for a sore shoulder, and is in deep mourning for the loss of his mentor Kobe Bryant, will have been inspired by the display.
It was an outright display of scoring prowess by the Bucks, who are looking more and more like they are destined to win the Eastern Conference crown this year.
Khris Middleton (51 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST) had a career game while leading the Bucks to victory. When you’re able to get that kind of production from your second-best player, it becomes very difficult to imagine a scenario where your team loses a seven-game series. To top it off, Eric Bledsoe (34 PTS, 6 REB, 10 AST) had himself an excellent game as well.
The Bucks’ shooting numbers were gaudy. They shot 50 of 90 (55.6%) from the field, and 19 of 37 (51.4%) from beyond the arc. They also shot 32 of 35 (91.4%) from the free throw line. They also outrebounded the Wizards 46-35, and had 31 assists compared to 28 for their opponents.
While they had less steals and blocks along with more turnovers than the Wizards, a display of offensive mastery like today doesn’t come along often. In a scorer’s league, it’s would be tough for any team to beat the Bucks on a day like this.
A loss like this will also likely intensify trade rumors about Wizards guard Bradley Beal, who put up 47 points and 6 assists in the 151-131 defeat. While Wizards management may say that he’s untouchable, they’re really in no position to compete for anything, and Beal’s talent is being wasted on this team.
The Bucks will have a few days of rest until their next game against the Denver Nuggets.
OTHER GAMES
The surging Memphis Grizzlies made it three in a row with a 104-96 win against the Denver Nuggets. Jonas Valanciunas (23 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST) led the way for the upstarts.
Serge Ibaka (24 PTS, 10 REB) had another throwback game for the Toronto Raptors in a 130-114 win against the Atlanta Hawks.
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 125-111 behind a great game from Jrue Holiday (28 PTS, 8 AST). Zion Williamson (14 PTS, 9 REB) continues to put up decent numbers, with his minutes increasing to 30 this game.
Joel Embiid (24 PTS, 10 REB) return after three weeks to boost the Philadelphia 76ers to a 115-104 win over the Golden State Warriors.
The Phoenix Suns routed the Dallas Mavericks 133-104 thanks to Devin Booker (32 PTS, 6 REB, 9 AST).
Gordon Hayward (29 PTS, 9 REB) was the leading man for the Boston Celtics in a 109-101 victory against the Miami Heat.
