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CHARLOTTE- The Milwaukee Bucks escaped Charlotte with tough win over the scrappy Hornets bunch over the weekend. Despite the Hornets being one of the leagues least fortunate teams in the Eastern Conference, they made sure the Bucks earned their victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished the game with 41 points and 20 rebounds.
His full arsenal of moves was on display the whole game, with the poster dunks we all know and love and some smooth fadeaways of the low block. Antetokounmpo has also learned to play out of double teams a lot better than he has in years past.
“It's a little bit frustrating because obviously you want to play one on one. I always have the advantage. But as you mature as a player, when someone double teams you its a compliment.” He finished the game with six assists, but several hockey assists in this tight game,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said.
This game was also the first time in 83 games that the Bucks did not score over 100 points. “The coaching staff might care about that, but a win is a win,” he continued.
However, the Hornets have every right to keep their heads up and be happy for what could be a bright future. Not only did they slow down one of the league's best offenses, but they were able to score on a top defense as well. The Hornets came to play on every possession on both sides of the ball. Their ball movement led to a lot of easy baskets and helped build confidence down the stretch. They are missing Malik Monk, one of their go to bench scorers, but his suspension has allowed the likes of Caleb and Cody Martin to shine.
“Cody has really stepped up his decision making as a playmarker,” Coach James Borrego said. “We count on him to be smart, focused, and make the right basketball play when need be.”
The young trio of Devonte' Graham, P.J. Washington, and Miles Bridges also showed flashes of what Hornets fans might be able to expect in the near future when they are firing on all cylinders. The box score might not show it, but the three of them played well down the stretch.
Washington and Bridges had a tough defensive assignment in the reigning MVP, but the effort in trying to contain a player of that caliber did not go unnoticed. The forward tandem takes turns guarding the opposing teams best player and that will do nothing but help the both of them grow as a player.
Despite dropping game one of four in their home stand, there is plenty to build off of. The Hornets will face the Spurs, Nuggets, and Rockets. All three teams are formidable opponents and can cause some problems match up wise for them, but after facing a team with the best record in the league, confidence should not be a problem going forward. We will see how the this young team fares against a couple of western conference playoff contenders.
As for, Giannis Antetokounmpo, he's still scratching the surface of his full potential.
