The Brooklyn Nets, without Kevin Durant and still without Ben Simmons, managed to win against the Milwaukee Bucks in an exciting game. Thanks to an outstanding third quarter, the Nets stayed in the game, Kyrie Irving countered Bobby Portis’ career night.
Milwaukee Bucks (36-25) – Brooklyn Nets (32-29) 123:126 (BOXSCORE)
Portis sank 8 threes for a total of 30 points and added 12 rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo followed with 29 points (8/20 FG, 1/6 3FG). In addition to 14 rebounds and 6 assists, there were also 4 losses of the ball, some of which were costly, in the stat sheet, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday contributed 25 and 19 points respectively. After the Bucks were clearly in the lead in the three-way quota for a long time, the quotas increasingly converged (42.1 vs. 38.2 percent).
With the Nets, Irving was the towering man. Uncle Drew hit 14 of his 26 throws for 38 points, a miss from the line in the final stages had no consequences. “I’m glad things are calming down a bit and there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” said the man of the evening about the fact that the vaccination mandate in New York City could be relaxed in a timely manner so that he could play home games again could contribute.
Otherwise, no net cracked the 20-point mark, Seth Curry provided the best support with 4 threes and 19 points. New signing Andre Drummond convinced with 17 points, 12 rebounds and a spectacular and important block against Giannis in crunch time. Bruce Brown got 15 points.
While Goran Dragic (6 points in 14 minutes) made his debut for the Nets (first game since November 13), Kevin Durant is also poised to return to the lineup after suffering an internal ligament strain. “I expect him to be back next week. It could be quick,” said head coach Steve Nash. However, there is still no specific date. However, the superstar was absent against the Bucks, as was Ben Simmons. According to Nash, he suffers from slight back problems and has not yet trained at high intensity.
Nets catch start to forget – ice cold from a distance
In Milwaukee, the Nets got off to a forgettable start and were eight points down after five minutes, especially from distance (1/7 in the first quarter). Thanks to good production from the bench around Dragic and LaMarcus Aldridge, the guests didn’t have to be completely torn down, while only Irving consistently scored from the starters. A completely different picture for the Bucks, Serge Ibaka was the only reservist who had scored after twelve minutes. 32:25 Milwaukee.
The Nets were unable to contain the gap up until half-time, which was due to the fact that the problems from a distance didn’t change – despite an interim 8-0 run. The Bucks, on the other hand, hit 60 percent of their three-pointers in the second period (Giannis also got involved), Portis was already at 4. However, since Irving was still in a good mood (10 points in Q2) and the hosts occasionally handled the ball sloppily, everything was still open. At Brooklyn, the ball went well, even Drummond contributed three assists. We went into the half-time break with a 6-point deficit – and then the long-distance throw fell.
The Nets scored 43 points in the third quarter (8/10 3FG), and after a 12-0 run in the middle of the third quarter to a six-point lead they were fully in the game. After a three by Brown, the guests even lead in double digits, Curry continued to add his fourth goal from distance. The Bucks found no defensive answer at all in this phase, but immediately hit back with an 8-0 run a few minutes later. Portis was once again in charge with two threes. And Middleton brought the Bucks back completely. 96:93 nets before the final section, the New Yorkers had not scored more points in any quarter this season.
Nets hijack victory from Milwaukee – Irving towers over
But the Nets had reckoned without Portis, who brought the Bucks with his eighth threesome (Career High) was back in the lead after just a minute, and Giannis extended it on the line. Brooklyn was suddenly completely cold again from a distance. Then it got strange: During a dunk show during a break, the net on one of the baskets was damaged, and it was only possible to continue with a slight delay. And how it went on for the Nets!
After Irving and Portis traded buckets, Kyrie sank a heavy fadeaway, Drummond cut to -4 at the line. The Bucks threw the ball away several times, Drummond scored with foul, a successful three by Wesley Matthews came after the shot clock. Kyrie did better, bringing the guests back in front with his points 31 to 33. Holiday made two bitter misses from the free-throw line, while Bruce Brown responded to a layup by Antetokounmpo from long-range.
With the score at 118:116 for the Nets, it was the final minute when Giannis first threw the ball away and then was cleared by Drummond. James Johnson did the same against Portis. There were a lot of free throws as a result, after Curry fouled Middleton, the Bucks demanded three freebies, but it was not counted as a throwing foul. Free throws from Aldridge put it at +3 with two seconds to go, Giannis actually got a good look to equalize after that, but the attempt ended up on the ring.
