On the brink of implosion, the Bucks are proving they have heart

Conceding 19-4 to start the match and losing Giannis Antetokounmpo, hit the calf after three minutesfor the rest of the game, the Bucks were in a hole midway through the first quarter against the Pistons. The situation was dangerous, against the best team in the Eastern Conference. It is not easy to imagine the trend reversing…

“In such a match, we saw a little bit of each. There were difficulties at the beginning, we had to persevere, to be resilient. That brings us together, especially when Giannis is injured. We had to find a solution and I’m satisfied that we managed to win.”, comments Kevin Porter Jr.

The Bucks are really going to win this matchupputting forth great efforts, not giving up against a Detroit team that was certainly solid, but too timid, perhaps complacent, when it came time to conclude. Everyone gave their stone.

First Kevin Porter Jr., with his 26 points and 7 assists. The playmaker carried Milwaukee’s offense, but also did a job on defense, and Ryan Rollins limited Cade Cunningham, blocking 17 points on 5/15 shooting.

“In the preseason and during the first duel, he was on the beach.” He did what he wanted while we wanted to match him in size. reminds Doc Rivers of the leader of Detroit. “There, we left the leaders on him, to put pressure on him. With defensive help if he penetrates. The zone defense and pressure from Rollins and Porter Jr. were effective all game.”

Collective response

AJ Green’s award-winning baskets also did a lot of good, especially the last-quarter go-ahead baskets that sent the Fiserv Forum crowd into a frenzy.

“We have to say hello to my teammates who found me, believed in me”said the scorer, the author of 19 points and five 3-point shots. “We have to do it together. One player can’t do things alone. There are things that happen and we can’t do anything about it. We can control our response. During the downtime, we have to be together, encourage each other and talk.”

The symbol of this collective work of the Bucks to overcome the absence of their two-time MVP is Jericho Sims, the author of his best match of his career. The former Knicks point guard was allowed 30 minutes and scored 15 points on 7/7 shooting, plus 14 rebounds.

“We need a player who goes in circles after the screen and has jumps and defensive qualities. We were convinced that we had to play him and leave him on the floor.” assures Dr. Rivers. “That’s what we expected from him”adds Kevin Porter Jr. “He’s a strong brute. We want him to impose his physique. He showed it and helped us come back.”