Dairyland Express
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks vs Mavericks Preseason Game 2 live blog

By Brian Sampson

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 08: \h34 blocks a shot by Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks as George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 08, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 08: \h34 blocks a shot by Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks as George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 08, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

As the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Dallas Mavericks in preseason game 2, follow along here for live updates, analysis and video highlights.

As the Milwaukee Bucks are taking on the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, it might give some a feeling of deja vu. That’s because these two teams just tangoed on Saturday night, a game that resulted in a double-digit defeat for the Bucks (not that wins and losses mean anything in the preseason).

For this exhibition game, Dairyland Express is debuting their Bucks’ live game blog hosted by yours truly, Brian Sampson–the creator of Bucks Film Room. You can follow along and interact with me here, as I’ll be sharing insight and analysis into what I’m seeing on the court as well as short video breakdowns. I’d love it if you follow along and comment below as well.

The game is set to tip-off at 7 pm central (that really means like 7:10 pm) on Fox Sports Wisconsin. The starters should stay the same with Jrue Holiday and Donte DiVincenzo holding down the backcourt and Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in the frontcourt. Head coach Mike Budenholzer also said he thinks the starters will continue to get decent minutes again tonight (they each received between 15-25 minutes on Saturday), and that everyone is available to play.

Here are some keys to the game that I’ll be watching in this one:

  • Offensive rebounding. Budenholzer hinted that he might be open to allowing the Bucks to crash the offensive glass more aggressively this season. That makes sense considering Pat Connaughton, DiVincenzo, Holiday, Antetokounmpo and Torrey Craig can all excel in that area.
  • Three-point shooting. This is the never-ending battle, but Milwaukee was freakin’ terrible from the outside in their first preseason game, connecting on only nine of their 38 attempts (23.7 percent). They are going to have to be better from the outside moving forward.
  • Jrue Holiday. As the new guy in the starting lineup, he definitely looked like someone who was trying to assimilate to the rest of the crew instead of leaving his own imprint. This is only the second game, but I hope to see him assert himself a bit more in this one.

Follow along below with video highlights and analysis as the game begins.

1st quarter 7:27

Bucks are off to a slow start offensively, as they are down 6-4 at the first break. I’ve noticed Milwaukee working in more back screens than before in normal action on offense. Here’s a nice little pick-and-roll game between Holiday and Antetokoump that results in a nice layup at the rim

1st quarter 2:55

The Bucks are behind 24-15 and their defense is starting to get smoked from the outside. Dallas has penetrated the middle on the last few possessions before kicking it out and finding open shooters behind the arc (Josh Richardson is 3-for-3 and Maxi Kleber is 2-for-2). Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo is 0-for-6 from the free throw line. Yuck.

End of first: Mavericks 32 Bucks 28

The Bucks closed the gap a bit with their all bench unit. Luka Doncic was killing Pat Connaughton and the defense in the pick-and-roll which led to the Mavs’ extended lead. However, D.J. Augustin has been showing off his playmaking skills including drawing in the defenders below before kicking out to the other D.J.–D.J. Wilson

2nd quarter 9:16

D.J. Wilson found Bryn Forbes for a three to end the first quarter. To start the second, he showed great hustle to snag the offensive rebound and better awareness when he kicked it out to Brook Lopez for three. Also, the Bucks were running a lineup of Augustin, Holiday, Middleton, Antetokounmpo and Lopez which I absolutely love.

2nd quarter 7:15

After getting denied by the rim on Saturday,

Vince Carter

Khris Middleton throws one down on Josh Green here. Also, Antetokounmpo showed off the touch with a mid-range J followed by a slick three-pointer.

Halftime Bucks 69 Mavericks 59

A lot has happened since we last checked in. The intensity picked up over the last six minutes or so of the half and it started with the Bucks’ defense. DiVincenzo blocked a Tim Hardaway Jr. jumper attempt which led to an Antetokounmpo breakaway dunk and a Rick Carlisle technical foul. The two teams played a lot harder after that. I’m sure we’ll see Milwaukee’s starters play in the third quarter before sitting out the entire fourth like they did on Saturday night. Oh, and Augustin is a PLAYMAKER!

3rd quarter 10:18 Bucks 69 Mavericks 66

Dallas starts the third quarter hot which leads to a Mike Budenholzer timeout. Doncic is taking over in the pick-and-roll again, this time with Holiday matched up on him. He’s such a crafty player in this aspect who refuses to go at anyone’s pace but his own. He looks like a 10-year vet out there despite being in just this third NBA season.

3rd quarter 6:15 Bucks 81 Mavericks 76

The Bucks’ physicality is beginning to really bug the Mavericks. In turn, Dallas has ramped up their intensity and Milwaukee is trying to patch it. Antetokounmpo has been aggressively attacking the basket this whole quarter, and is diversifying his game–he made a beautiful pass to Lopez in the left corner for three and just hit a turnaround fade from the left block.

End of 3rd quarter Mavericks 95 Bucks 93

Doncic dominated that quarter, as he killed the Bucks in the pick-and-roll. Connaughton got smoked again, but it really didn’t matter who was defending him. The Mavericks really want this game, as they are begging for every call (and not in a bad way). Their bench was standing, engaged and cheering on their teammates–generating that type of energy is going to be huge this season.

4th quarter 7:56 Mavericks 109 Bucks 95

Dallas has been relentless in bringing the intensity, and it’s clear the Bucks aren’t prepared to match it tonight. Also, the Mavericks continue to bomb away from the outside and are now 19-40 (47.5 percent) from the three-point line while the Bucks are 10-29 (34.5 percent). It’s hard to win games when the disparity is that great.

Home/Milwaukee Bucks