The Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns squared off yesterday afternoon for the team’s second straight game at
home. Following a trip to the west coast where they lost three of their four games, Milwaukee was looking for their
second straight victory. The Bucks also lost star player Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a hamstring injury, but they
did get back forward Khris Middleton, who had been sidelined for over a month due to a left ankle strain.
The Bucks won this game at home mostly due to Milwaukee’s crucial second quarter, in which they outscored the
Suns 43-24. Additionally, Milwaukee’s victory was made possible by the performances of Bobby Portis Jr. and
Damian Lillard, who combined for 62 points on 59 percent shooting from the field. During the team’s triumph,
Lillard also created franchise history. The Bucks are now half a game ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second
seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 44-24. Phoenix finishes ninth in the Western Conference with a 39-
29 record.
In the opening two and a half minutes of play, Phoenix surged out to a 9-3 lead over the Bucks. It would take
Milwaukee five minutes to gain its first lead in the quarter. Up until Bobby Portis Jr.’s three-pointer in the final
thirty seconds of the first quarter gave the Bucks a three-point advantage, these two teams would trade baskets back
and forth. In the first twelve minutes, Portis Jr. scored 12 points while going perfect five for five.
In the second, Milwaukee began to get the upper hand. The group had a 20–6 run at one point, giving them a
comfortable 19–point advantage. It was impossible to stop the Bucks, especially when they were behind the arc. They
shot 16 for 28 from the field and an incredible 11 for 13 from three, making up around 85% of their total points from
three-point range. The Milwaukee Bucks led by 22 points at the half thanks to their excellent three-point shooting
and five steals. Once more, Portis Jr. proved to be this Bucks team’s hidden hero, scoring 13 points on five of eight
shots, including three of three from beyond the arc.
Bobby finished with 25 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a steal to lead the Bucks overall. With 12 assists, Damian
Lillard scored 14 points. Devin Booker led the Suns with 15 points, while Grayson Allen chipped in with 12.
The Suns would exert every effort to re-enter this game and heighten its intrigue. But even with Phoenix outscoring
Milwaukee 34–27, going into the last quarter of play, they were still behind by 15 points. The Suns were able to
reduce the Bucks lead to just one point with five minutes left in the game. The Milwaukee Bucks embarked on a 10-2
run in the final minutes, demonstrating their understanding that they would need to step up once again to secure the
victory. Milwaukee would secure their second consecutive victory with a commanding 14-129 victory.
Bobby Portis Jr. recorded 31 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and three steals in the game’s conclusion. In addition
to his 31 points, Damian Lillard finished with five rebounds, 16 assists, and two steals. In a single game, Lillard
becomes the first player in Milwaukee Bucks history to score thirty or more points and send out fifteen or more
assists!
Following the victory, Damian Lillard, a teammate of Khris Middleton’s, went on to make franchise history.
Middleton described Lillard as “just, I think, picking them apart really.” “Mostly simply observing the audience he
was drawing and concluding it early. He put his trust in the people on the field to hit the shots and make the plays.
However, I believe he did a fantastic job of knowing when to pull off the double team and not overly pressurize the
situation. He also did an excellent job of timing his attacks.
In addition, Middleton discussed his return following a 16-game hiatus.
Following the game, Middleton remarked, “I been doing this a long time.” “I am aware of when to slow down and
when to stop trying to move too quickly or quickly.” I am able to enter the game at my own speed and adjust it as
needed. Making sure my conditioning was at its peak and that my wind was present accounted for a large portion of
my rehab effort.
On Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks will play the Boston Celtics, who are the top team in the Eastern
Conference. Are the Milwaukee Bucks able to complete the task?
