The Milwaukee Bucks went on the road Sunday night looking to continue their three-game win streak against head coach Jason Kidd’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks.
It was a very defensive-minded game, with both teams scoring less than 75 points after regulation, and Dallas beating Milwaukee by a final score of 86-75 in overtime.
While the Bucks got off to a fast first quarter start, leading the Mavericks 27-19 after one quarter, it was a rough start for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“He got the two fouls. You maybe say it affected his night, he couldn’t get into a rhythm, but that’s just something for a young player to have to digest and go through and understand,” Jason said. “It’s 48 minutes, and with the two fouls early, he ended up with the ball with seven seconds left for the last shot and for us to win. So just understanding it’s a long game, he had the ball in his hands to make a play and we couldn’t get the ball to go in for us late.”
Antetokounmpo had two fouls within the first two minutes of the game, resulting in a night with just 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists and five turnovers.
Jabari Parker led all Bucks in scoring with 16 points, and was one of only three Milwaukee players to finish in double digits.
Greg Monroe was the third player to finish the game in double-digit scoring, coming off the bench to add 14 points and 12 rebounds.
BARNES CATCHES FIRE
Harrison Barnes stole the show, finishing with 34 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“I thought he had a great game tonight,” Kidd said. “We threw different guys at him, and he took advantage of some of the matchups and some of the defensive schemes, so he had a good night tonight.”
J-Kidd’s former teammate in Dallas, J.J. Barea, also had a terrific performance, adding 21 points, six rebounds and five assists.
“He is playing well,” Jason said. “He’s playing well with Dirk or without Dirk, and being a former teammate he knows how to play, and again another great night for him.”
TURNOVERS HURT MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee took the lead in the fourth quarter with 27 seconds remaining on a dunk from Antetokounmpo, but it was quickly answered by a Barnes layup just 14 seconds later.
The Bucks had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Antetokounmpo missed a 21-foot jumper, and the game went to overtime tied at 74.
“We want him to be him,” Jason said. “We want him to read the situation, and that’s what as players get better in this league, they can understand what they can get to their strengths and he felt comfortable making that decision to shoot a jump shot.”
The Bucks started overtime with three consecutive turnovers, and finished the night with a total of 27.
“The turnovers late were huge. Just to start talking about the overtime, we turned it over three straight times,” Kidd said. “So if you’re going to win a game on the road in overtime you can’t turn the ball over. We didn’t get shots, they came down and made shots.”
Antetokounmpo scored the Bucks’ only points in overtime on a free throw, as Kidd’s team just couldn’t make stops and couldn’t put the ball in the basket.
The Mavericks outscored the Bucks 12-1 in the overtime period.
NEXT UP
Now the Bucks have a few days to get some rest, as their next game is not until Thursday night when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.
Although Kidd did not get the result he was hoping for, he realizes there is a lot his young team can learn from a tough loss.
“Yeah I think there is always learning, wins and losses, and when you look at the score is tied and we can say we aren’t playing our best game or we aren’t scoring the ball, but both teams had 74 points when we have the ball on the road and you have the opportunity to win,” Kidd said. “So for that, yes, there are always teaching moments, and then going into the overtime we have to be able to get shots, we can’t turn the ball over.”
Milwaukee defeated the Pelicans on the road 117-113 on Nov. 2. They will look to do the same Thursday night at 7 p.m. CT.
