MILWAUKEE — In the aftermath of a heart-wrenching 128-124 double overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Milwaukee Bucks and their head coach Doc Rivers are left to ponder what could have been. The focus isn’t on the extra periods that extended the game, but rather on the final three and a half minutes of regulation, where the Bucks’ offense stalled, and a 10-point lead evaporated into thin air.
“First game in a while — it will be a good lesson for us — we didn’t trust the pass tonight,” Rivers lamented. The Bucks’ usually fluid offense turned stagnant, with “a lot of zero-pass shots or one-pass shots,” a deviation from their typical style that emphasizes trust and ball movement. This lapse in their offensive philosophy is not a common occurrence for the Bucks, but it was glaringly evident in the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
The trio of Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Damian Lillard, known for their clutch performances and shooting prowess, failed to convert on multiple occasions despite getting what appeared to be good looks. The Bucks’ inability to score in the final minutes of regulation was not due to turnovers but rather a sudden shift from their usual dynamic play to a more isolated approach.
Lillard, who finished the game with 27 points and eight assists, reflected on the shift in strategy, noting that the ball wasn’t dictating the shots as it had earlier in the game. “I know I held on to it a little bit more than I probably should have, at times. Same thing with Khris. Same thing with Giannis,” Lillard admitted. The team’s desire to “right the ship” led to a more individualistic approach, which ultimately backfired.
The Bucks’ last successful play in regulation, a catch-and-shoot three by Middleton, was a product of the pace and ball movement that had given them the lead. However, subsequent possessions saw the Bucks struggle against a set Lakers defense, with Antetokounmpo and Middleton unable to capitalize on their pick-and-roll attempts and Lillard stifled by the Lakers’ Anthony Davis.
Middleton, who contributed 12 points and seven assists, recognized the need for a better pace. “I think we could have changed up the pace, played with better pace. I think it could have freed up a little bit more looks,” he said. The contrast between the Bucks’ first-half performance and their crunch-time execution was stark, with the latter being characterized by a slower, more predictable offense.
Antetokounmpo, who posted a triple-double with 29 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists, echoed his teammates’ sentiments. “I think in the last couple of minutes of the game, it was like one pass, shot, a lot of ISO game,” he said. The Lakers’ defense, which forced the Bucks into one-on-one situations, disrupted the flow and movement that typically define Milwaukee’s offense.
With the regular season winding down and only 10 games left, the Bucks are still searching for the consistency that eluded them against the Lakers. This loss serves as a stark reminder that even a team as talented as Milwaukee can falter when they stray from their core principles of trust and teamwork.
The NBA trade deadline is approaching and the All-Star weekend is looming. The Bucks, like all teams, will be analyzing their performances and making necessary adjustments. For Milwaukee, the key lesson is clear: trusting in each other and the system that has led to their success is crucial, particularly when the pressure is high and the game is on the line.
