The Milwaukee Bucks put collectively a dominant all-around efficiency to notch their largest regular-season win, defeating the red-hot Denver Nuggets 121-112 on Thursday night time at Fiserv Discussion board. Brook Lopez made a powerful impression on each ends, tallying 22 factors whereas going head-to-head with Nikola Jokic. Denver’s MVP recorded a triple-double, ending with 32 factors, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists.
“I assumed Brook was unbelievable,” Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers mentioned when speaking about Brook Lopez.
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No defender can fully neutralize Jokic in a one-on-one matchup, and whereas Lopez had loads of backup, the Bucks leaned on their 7-foot-1 All-Defensive massive man to problem him at each flip. Regardless that Jokic notched his twenty seventh triple-double of the season with a stellar stat line, it appeared like he was shouldering the load for Denver nearly single-handedly.
The Bucks lastly having a solution for Nikola Jokic
“We matched his minutes precisely with Jokic, which we do not do lots. The man, that Jokic, he is actually good. He is simply actually good. I imply, he made; the pictures he makes. They seem like there is not any method they will go in. And his passing is one thing to marvel. It simply is. And for him to do this and us nonetheless win video games towards him is massive for us. I assumed Brook gave all the things tonight,” Rivers continued.
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Jokic is placing up 29.2 factors per recreation whereas taking pictures an environment friendly 57.5% from the sphere, together with a formidable 61.4% on two-pointers and 44.5% from deep on 4.5 makes an attempt per recreation. On high of that, he’s averaging 12.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists, positioning himself to grow to be the primary participant since Russell Westbrook in 2020-21 to common a triple-double for a whole season.
Lopez turned again the clock with a formidable offensive efficiency, tallying 22 factors whereas taking pictures 6-of-7 from the free throw line and changing six of his 10 makes an attempt contained in the arc.
With 4:51 remaining, Lopez took on Jokic one-on-one, beginning past the arc with a slick behind-the-back crossover from left to proper. He powered his method into the paint, absorbed contact, and managed to throw down an off-balance dunk whereas drawing the foul. He then knocked down the free throw, extending the Bucks’ result in 107-96.
The Bucks (33-25) have now gained seven of their final ten video games, securing their first victory over a top-tier staff from both convention. Their In-Season Event title towards Oklahoma Metropolis doesn’t depend towards the standings, and earlier than this win, Milwaukee was 0-8 towards the highest three groups within the East and 0-3 towards the West’s high trio.
Denver (38-21) entered the matchup having gained 10 of its final 11 video games and was locked in a tie for second place within the Western Convention.