The Milwaukee Bucks have two reasons to celebrate: Giannis Antetokounmpo returns after a break from injury – and helps his team to an important home win against the San Antonio Spurs. There a strong LaMarcus Aldridge is not enough.
The Bucks could fall back on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had previously missed a game due to a slight ankle injury. The Greek also made a direct contribution and was involved in Milwaukee’s early double-digit leadership. On the other hand, not much came together in the initial phase.
But the Spurs were not impressed. Instead, they successfully sought their way to the board, where LaMarcus Aldridge got points from the post. As a result, his team was quickly back in the game. However, the guests remained vulnerable in the transition: At half-time the score for the Bucks was 20:0 for the Fastbreak points, but overall the matter was balanced at half-time (47:47).
After changing sides, the Spurs were initially off track, made a few ball losses and got the corresponding bill on the other side. So they had to run behind again. Khris Middleton’s corner threesome was 67:56 – and the Bucks stayed up. Defensively too, San Antonio had to work hard at every point.
After Brandon Jennings had set the buzzer to 88:75, the Texans had to overcome a big mortgage in the final section. Again and again it was the busy Aldridge who kept the hope of a comeback alive through his post-success. The Bucks actually got nervous again, so that Pau Gasol putbacked 35 seconds before the end to 103:106. After a miss by Eric Bledsoe on the other side, there was actually a chance to equal the score, but Dejounte Murray missed the threesome.
Giannis had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists in the end, Bledsoe 23 points, Middleton 19. Best man of the Spurs was once again Aldridge (34, 12/21 FG), Gasol (22, 13 Rebounds) also played well.