Why Doc Rivers benched Myles Turner at the end of OT against the 76ers
The Milwaukee Bucks suffered its third straight loss after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime, 123-114, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
The Bucks played without Giannis Antetokounmpowho has been sidelined for about two weeks with an adductor strain suffered Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With Antetokounmpo, Miles TurnerBobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma tried to step up in the frontcourt for the Bucks. Turner, however, was pulled in the final three minutes of overtime, with a trainer Doc Rivers goes with Portis in the center.
After the game, Rivers explained the decision.
“We just thought we needed another scorer, another scorer, with movement, where Miles is more stationary. (I don’t know if it was important at that point),” the veteran coach said, as quoted by Eric Nehm of the Athletics.
Turner finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes. Portis had 19 points and eight rebounds, while Kuzma had 17 points and four assists.
Ryan Rollins had a valiant effort with a game-high 32 points, six rebounds and 14 assists.
29 year old Turner signed a four-year, $108.9 million contract with the Bucks in the offseason, providing edge protection that Milwaukee sorely needs. He played well in his first appearance in Cream City, averaging 12.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.6 blocks.
He will, however, need to increase his production with Antetokounmpo. Maybe Rivers could get him more involved in the offense instead of just using him as a defensive anchor.
The Bucks will return to action on Saturday when they host the red-hot Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
2025-11-21 05:53:00
