There were a lot of great storylines from Tuesday night’s matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder. Unfortunately for the Jason Kidd’s squad, the game score was not one of them.
The Bucks were flat on the road and were outscored by the Thunder in every quarter of a 110-79 defeat. Afterward, Jason tipped his cap to a fellow all-time great at the point guard position, Russell Westbrook, who tied Bucks great Oscar Robertson for the most triple-doubles in a single season with 41. Westbrook finished the night with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.
“When you can rebound the ball and you can throw ahead to guys for baskets you can control the game by passing the ball, by rebounding the ball,” Jason said of Westbrook. “He didn’t have to score 40 tonight to help them win.”
Jason, who was just named the Eastern Conference coach of the month, has the third most triple-doubles in NBA history with 107. Westbrook now has 78 all-time, which is tied for fourth in NBA history with Wilt Chamberlain. But Jason believes the Thunder guard could surpass him, as well as Magic Johnson and Robertson on the career triple-double charts.
“You look at the greats that are ahead of me, Russ has an opportunity to chase those guys,” Kidd said. “What he’s doing is incredible. … It’s actually kind of cool to see.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee, recording a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Thunder outscored the Bucks 54-40 in the paint, something that coach Kidd emphasized after the game.
“They protected the paint and we missed some easy shots early and they were the aggressors the whole game and we were on our heels,” Kidd said. “They took it to us early and often and did it for 48 minutes so you tip your hat to them.”
Even with the loss, it has been a tremendous couple of weeks for Kidd and the Bucks. The Bucks were 14-4 in March, which was good for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
This is the third time Jason has won coach of the month, but his first time winning the award with Milwaukee.
