The Bucks were without All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Monday night against the Pacers. Milwaukee cruised to a dominate victory. Jrue Holiday led the way for the Bucks with 28 points and 14 assist.
The Bucks went 9 of 10 from 3-point range in the first 9½ minutes and led 48-26 by the end of the first quarter. That 48-point outburst represented the fifth-highest point total the Bucks have ever recorded in a single quarter. Milwaukee had a very good shooting night and they shot 24 of 39 from 3 as a team. That would be an outstanding 56.4% overall. Any NBA team shooting that percentage will not lose a game. Pat Connaughton who started for Giannis shot 5 for 6 from the three point line and produced 20 points.
“When somebody like our best player is not playing that night, we kind of lock in,” Holiday said. “Everybody has to do a little bit more. It’s a testament to the team we have.” Giannis might be held out of Wednesday’s contest against Boston because of his sprained left knew. This is something very minor and it is just precautionary. The Bucks also played without reserve forward P.J. Tucker because of a sprained left ankle. Tucker played 12 minutes and was scoreless Monday in his second game since he joined the team.
The Bucks are on a roll and it doesn’t look like anyone can stop the train right now. Milwaukee has found their way and are starting to finally gel as a team. This year has been a year where they needed to find their chemistry because of the roster turnover. It seems like it is peaking at the right time.
I enjoyed watching the Bucks work well together even without Giannis on the floor. Jrue Holiday had an amazing game and I haven’t seen him play like that on this team yet so it’s nice to see him back in his bag again!