Week In Review: Bucks keep rolling, Giannis Antetokounmpo style

Feb 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) grabs the ball as Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) drives for the basket during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday, Feb. 4: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks

If you could name the Lakers’ starting five for Wednesday night’s game against Milwaukee, I would be shocked.  Their starting five was about as recognizable as Axl Rose was after his plastic surgery.  The Lakers’ starting five played about as good as Axl Rose looks now; bad.  Their starting five only put up 36 points as a unit, and yet gave the Bucks a run for their money.

Milwaukee defeated Los Angeles 113-105 in overtime.

The Achilles’ heel for Milwaukee reared its ugly head again Wednesday night.  Milwaukee was out rebounded 53-35 by the Lakers, including getting crushed 18-5 on the offensive glass.

Forward Carlos Boozer helped pick up the slack for his starting five and scored 28 points while adding nine rebounds.  Ed Davis came off the Lakers bench and helped notch a career-high 20 rebounds in 33 minutes of playing time.

Milwaukee’s bench was vastly outclassed by the Lakers, getting outscored 69-25.

Not until the third quarter did the Bucks play with any kind of energy or urgency, but that third quarter made up for it.  Milwaukee outscored the Lakers 28-14 and had a 74-68 lead after three.  It also had this nifty spin move from Giannis on Nick Young.

Then late in the fourth, things got crazy.  Milwaukee got a three from O.J. Mayo with 57 seconds left to bring Milwaukee within three as they were down 91-88.  Jeremy Lin answered Mayo’s three with one of his own, pushing the lead back to six.  Then after a Brandon Knight three with 31 seconds left, Milwaukee got the ball back for one last shot.  Here’s what happened.

After that clutch Mayo three, Milwaukee finished the overtime outscoring the Lakers 19-11.

Besides Mayo’s three, the story of the game was Giannis scoring a career high 25 points on 10 of 14 shooting.  After his performance, coach Jason Kidd was quoted as saying “I don’t think this will be his career high for very long.” Add prophet to the long list of titles Kidd has earned since arriving to Milwaukee.

Giannis broke his career high the next game against the Rockets.

The win put Milwaukee at a season-high five games above .500 with a 27-22 record.  Their next game was Friday night in Houston.

Next: Looking For A Texas-Sized Split