Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is a huge fan of fourth-year shooting guard Pat Connaughton. So much so, that the 49-year-old coach gave Connaughton a special label:
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer on Pat Connaughton: “I love the pop he gives us defensively. He covers a lot of ground. He bothers shooters. He’s making 3s, getting to the basket and finishing and has turned into our best power forward with a jump hook.”
— Mike Grenier (@MikeGrenier_SN) April 18, 2019
Connaughton was brilliant on Wednesday night as he helped his side secure a 120-99 victory against the Detroit Pistons in this first-round series matchup. The 26-year-old scored 18 points on an extremely efficient 8-of-10 shooting off bench, along with two 3-pointers, nine rebounds, three assists, and four blocks in 31 minutes of play.
Connaughton has proven to be a pivotal piece in Milwaukee's rotation this season after signing with the team last summer as a free agent. (He spent the first three years of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers.) In 61 regular-season appearances this year, the 6-foot-4 guard has averaged 6.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 20.7 minutes per ballgame.
Connaughton will need to be in top form yet again for the Bucks on Saturday as the series shifts to Detroit. Now down 0-2, the Pistons will definitely come out of the gates running in that one as they hope to get a game back on their home floor.
The Bucks still remain the heavy favorite, though, and they are currently the front-runner to win the Eastern Conference title this year. Many believe they are the team most capable of toppling the Golden State Warriors should they succeed in reaching the NBA Finals.
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