Despite a good Cooper Flag, Dallas falls again against the Bucks

Disappointed with their collective performance in the final quarter the day before against HoustonThe Bucks circulate the ball very well at the beginning of the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo works hard to find his teammates and make good shots. It works, especially against a Dallas team that struggles in the early minutes. Losing possessions, Milwaukee is reviving the Mavericks, especially Klay Thompson who can hit two straight 3-pointers at 10-0 (31-27).

The second quarter is much less fluid, with plenty of fouls and free throws. The Texans manage to resist Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first points to maintain control at the break (57-53). This trend was highlighted in the third quarter, as Doc Rivers’ troops struggled on offense. There is an 11-point difference for Dallas before the last twelve minutes (88-77).

Milwaukee goes on an 8-0 run in the final quarter and Kyle Kuzma scores, followed by Bobby Portis, twice, with a 3-pointer.

Everything has to be done again for Cooper Flagg and his teammates. Even more so when Giannis scores from behind the arc or imposes his power near the circle. The Bucks take the lead in “money time”, but the former Duke puts on a boss costume and gives Dallas the lead twice, the last one against Giannis!

Ryan Rollins immediately answers, before the Texans miss the next layup, down by three points. They have one last chance, thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s foul, which gives PJ Washington three free throws. The latter misses the latter, which condemns the Mavericks (114-116)…

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Giannis Antetokounmpo is well supported by Kyle Kuzma. The Greek gained strength during the minutes and if they were quite good at limiting, Daniel Gafford and Moussa Cisse will sleep well after this match. They had a hell of a fight inside with the 2021 Finals MVP. But the Greek still had his game with 30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks. He was well supported by his teammates, especially Kyle Kuzma, with his 26 points on 10/17 shooting. It was he who kept the Bucks going early in the fourth quarter.

– Cooper Flagg signs his reference game. With 26 points on 9/15 shooting, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft had his most productive game since the start of the year. And with his important baskets in the final moments, it was perhaps his strongest performance, the one where he showed the most character. Novak was just a win away from making it his first big moment of the season.

– Mistakes in the final seconds by Dallas. Cooper Flagg therefore did whatever was necessary to give his team a chance to win, but two errors then spoiled everything. First is this missed layup, which offers a dunk to Kyle Kuzma and extends the deficit to 3 points. The second is an obvious second missed free throw by PJ Washington, forcing him to miss a third down to attempt an offensive rebound, which ends up not coming. Jason Kidd and his players may be regretting it.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.