The Bucks folded in the late stages of a 122-115 loss to Houston on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 37 points, eight rebounds and three assists but couldn’t sustain that same level of production in crunch time, Eric Nehm of The Athletic notes. in the final five minutes, Antetokounmpo had one field goal, went 2-of-6 from the free throw line and committed two turnovers.
“We didn’t execute as well (as them),” Antetokounmpo said. “The ball was sticking a lot… Whenever we were double-teaming or trapping the pick-and-roll, they were moving the ball, finding the open man. They were able to make some shots and we did the complete opposite.”
The Bucks superstar is listed as probable to play against Dallas in the second game of a back-to-back on Monday, Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal tweets.
We have more from the Central Division:
- The Pistons are shooting for the seventh straight victory when they host the Wizards on Monday. They pulled out a 111-108 road win over Philadelphia on Sunday. During the winning streak, Cade Cunningham is averaging 29.2 points and 11.2 assists, while center Jalen Duren — who is headed to restricted free agency — is averaging 23.5 points and 13.5 rebounds.“He’s been dominant,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Duren, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “The way he helps us protect the rim, the job he does on the boards, the threat that he is in the pick-and-roll and in the pocket … he’s a guy that can connect our group, too. He’s another guy who can facilitate and playmake, and then he’s an elite communicator, which has been a huge growth for him defensively. He’s talking to guys, always in the right spot, so I thought he was great again (Sunday).”
- Coby White (strained right calf) has yet to play this season but the Bulls guard is expected back soon. Coach Billy Donovan anticipates he’ll make a seamless return to the rotation, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. “I feel pretty good about him coming back,” Donovan said. “He’s always been a team guy. The rhythm for him individually, he’s going to work through that, and in time, it will get better, but in terms of him seamlessly coming back, I don’t worry about the chemistry at all, not with him. He plays the right way. Being around these guys, his IQ, his years in the league, I think he’ll know how to come back and integrate himself.” White was assigned to the G League’s Windy City Bulls on Monday to get some practice time, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network tweets.
- Isaac Okoro faced his former team on Saturday when the Cavaliers defeated the Bulls, 128-122. The Bulls forward, who was traded by Cleveland during the offseason, scored 19 points with four rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes. “I had a wonderful five years in Cleveland,” Okoro said, per Johnson (Twitter link). “They treat their players right—coaches, front-office staff. I love all these guys. But once tip goes up, it’s Bulls vs. Cavs.”
Giannis and Steph = a match made in heaven. Giannis is the future of the Warriors, the Bucks have blown it with him. Horrible roster construction around him, period.
The Warriors are moving to Athens? That is where Giannis says he wants to end his career. Curry has to much going on in the Bay Area to go there. He’d probably retire. The Bucks could have had Curry and Giannis over a decade ago. But, they nixed that. That ship has sailed.
Cade showing up every game makes it easier for me to swallow the bold MVP preseason pick I had on him. Flat out stud.
On an unrelated topic, Okoro looked nice on Saturday making some plays, it’s a shame we lack real size against some of the giants in the East. Mobley was abusing whoever was guarding him.
Cade likely won’t best Joker in terms of MVP, but you aren’t wrong, Cade is a Him. He is as advertised, the #1 pick who plays like one. I always forget he is 6’6″ too, so his defense is only going to get better as his IQ catches up with it. Needs more playing time for that, but its inevitable. Literally Michael Jordan is his ceiling if he can bring the D. He might win a MVP if Joker misses too many games, but Joker should have won the last 5 MVPs and he’s likely going to get this seasons one.
Do you guys think that Giannis is playing through injury? He moved and played strangely in certain episodes.
It must be nice to play in the east and have the 2nd game of a B2B be vs the Wizards