Giannis shuts down LeBron in the final minute and the Bucks pull off a feat

The Bucks are doing a little better with their 6th win in nine games, and they prove it with a 105-101 victory on the Lakers floor. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates are the first to take down the Lakers in a close game, despite a great last game LeBron James.

Luka Doncic, who already had 41 points and 6 assists during their first meeting in November, started off strong again against the Bucks. He made two 3-pointers and was involved in the Lakers’ first 12 points. Luke’s scalp pass to LeBron James, capped off by an authoritarian dunk, forces Doc Rivers to take a timeout very early (12-7).

Milwaukee immediately responded with a run to take a five-point lead. AJ Green, struggling recently, found his address with a perfect 3/3 to start, including a big basket on the nose of Luka Doncic. The Bucks then stalled offensively, while the Lakers finished the quarter with a 10-4 run to regain the lead (25-24).

Dončić is well lost

The second quarter was tight for many minutes. After a 3-point shot by Marcus Smart to tie the game at 39-39, Milwaukee accelerated and increased the first big deficit of the match (52-42). The Bucks are doing tremendous defensive work on Doncic, limited to three attempts in the entire quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks even up to +12. Despite the Lakers’ comeback initiated by LeBron, Giannis’ layup 12 seconds before the break sent Milwaukee into the locker room with a nine-point lead (61-52).

The Lakers, skilled from long range (50% from 3-point range in the first half), continued their momentum after returning from the locker room. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia connect on two game-winning shots to get back to just three points. But Milwaukee was able to respond: Kevin Porter Jr. kept the offense going while Giannis got a breather. In an offense where the passing game worked wonders, he scored four of the Bucks’ final nine points of the quarter to help Milwaukee maintain control (86-77).

Giannis’ defense

In the fourth quarter, LeBron James reminded that he still had something under his belt. A ball stealer, he led the Lakers to -2, making every basket. Again, he made two consecutive baskets to give LA back the lead, the first since the second quarter. But the Bucks hold on, and Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. tie the game two minutes from the end (98-98).

After 3-pointers by Myles Turner and Laravia, Doncic fouls Porter Jr. behind the arc, which is synonymous with the sixth foul. Porter Jr. converted two of three shots. The Lakers had one last chance to tie the game, but Giannis covered LeBron under the rim and then stole the ball. Porter Jr. is behind. which ensures the Bucks win on free throws (105-101).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

The first loss of the Lakers in the “money time”. After 13 straight wins in close games, the Lakers finally got it going. The mistake is Giannis Antetokounmpo double-deciding with a counter and then an interception on LeBron James. Even if the same LeBron allowed the Lakers to regain the lead, the Lakers never overcame their object in this 4th quarter.

A rare trip to Luka Dončić. For the first time since 2022, Luka Dončić has six fouls! After an outstanding first quarter, he had trouble breaking free from the Bucks’ aggressive and mobile defense. By his own admission, he was “terrible”, and four fouls in the 3rd quarter cost him dearly.

Porter Jr. it works well. We’re a long way from the Bucks of the great era, but Kevin Porter Jr. is increasingly important to the game. His teammates have confidence in him, and he had strong nerves in “money time.” It’s rare, but he finished as Milwaukee’s leading scorer, ahead of Giannis.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=kkriFe6aKAs

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; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.