The Milwaukee Bucks finally picked up their first win of the preseason, vanquishing the Chicago Bulls in a close 111-107 win, despite being down 11 points at one point in the game. With the Bucks getting to play their full starting unit, they were finally able to get things to click, as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard showed signs of being the duo that everyone feared when the Lillard trade first came about last year.
The Bucks had been questioned as contenders for quite some time, primarily due to their poor performance in the playoffs last year, combined with the Eastern Conference improving greatly during the offseason. But Doc Rivers' squad showed early glimpses of putting things together heading into the new season.
The Bulls did put up a fight, with rookie Adama Sanogo leading the scoring for them with 16 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Matas Buzelis, the Bulls' rookie, with 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, had a poor shooting night. And Josh Giddey contributed an efficient 12 points, with 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the game in scoring and rebounding, putting up a double-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. Damian Lillard played the role of the orchestrator tonight aside from his scoring heroics, with 20 points 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
Brook Lopez contributed well on both ends, with an efficient 11 points, followed by 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 4 blocks. It was a solid showing from the Bucks team, especially as they went into the half behind by 9 points, and had to rally to win the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Going Back To Basics
Giannis Antetokounmpo did tonight what many had been asking of him for the last few seasons. Rather than play a more playmaking big role as he has tried to do at times over the last few years, Antetkounmpo went back to using his immense frame and speed to get to the rim.
One of the more encouraging signs tonight was Antetokounmpo getting to the free throw line, as he attempted 16 free throws during the game, making 12 of them. Giannis is a career 70.2% free throw shooter, so shooting tonight at a 75% clip is an encouraging sign heading to the season.
Aside from the 12 points Antetokounmpo got from the free-throw line, Giannis also put up another 12 from the field. Going 6-13 from the field, Giannis didn't let his initial struggle to play through the crowded paint deter him from going back again and again till he was taken out of the game.
In his first two preseason games, Antetokounmpo has averaged 22.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks. He will use the Bucks' remaining preseason games to work back into form ahead of the NBA season kicking off.
Damian Lillard: Pick-And-Roll Threat
Right behind Giannis Antetokounmpo was Damian Lillard, who showed an element to his game many wondered would be there. Lillard was incredible as a pick-and-roll conductor, using his big teammates like Giannis, Brook Lopez, and even Bobby Portis to help run the offense.
With his playmaking on full display tonight, Lillard showed that he can still be the offensive juggernaut that he is while distributing the wealth among his teammates, as he dished out 9 dimes. Lillard working as the team's playmaker could help unlock the rest of the squad's potential, and allow them to score at all three levels as a team.
Lillard's defensive weaknesses are well known, but he did contribute on both ends of the court tonight, as he contributed 2 steals and a 1 block as well.
After two disappointing preseason games against the Pistons and the Lakers, Lillard seems to have found his rhythm in this new role. So far, he is averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game.
Doc Rivers Finally Building Chemistry
Doc Rivers got his team to play off each other very well tonight. We're unsure of what exactly it was that he told the team, but they played with a purpose today. And rather than blowing a lead, something Rivers' teams are famous for doing, the Bucks actually came back from an 11-point deficit to win the game.
Despite players like Giannis and Dame not getting to play together during the offseason , Rivers seems to have built a decent amount of chemistry within the squad, especially with the additions of Taurean Price and Gary Trent Jr.
Rivers gets his first full season with the Bucks this year, something he is very excited about . Considering how much of an issue he made his lack of offseason with the Bucks last year, the gloves must be off when assessing the Bucks this season.
Health will be a big concern for the Bucks, as even an executive of the franchise believes they are at their strongest with a healthy big three of Giannis, Lillard, and Khris Middleton, who is currently out injured. But the ability to win games even when not fully healthy is what defines championship contenders.
Perhaps the Bucks aren't to be ruled out as championship contenders in the East quite just yet, as they showed tonight that they can get things going, but they will need to prove that tonight was not just a one-off. Preseason games can be a good indicator of where things are going, but the Bucks have a lot they need to answer for next year.
Related: 2024-25 Milwaukee Bucks Projected Starting Lineup
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