Without Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee sprain) but also three other holders (Khris Middleton, Donte DiVincenzo and Jrue Holiday) and their best scorer out of the bench (Bobby Portis, COVID protocol), no miracle for the Bucks, beaten 102-96 Saturday by the KnicksAlec Burks (21 points at 7/13, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) and R.J. Barrett (21 points at 8/22, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) in Milwaukee. But this trip will have cost the team dearly. Tom Thibodeau, who lost Mitchell Robinson on a broken foot in the 1st quarter. Julius Randle, hit in the thigh, did not play.
Despite the many absences, the Bucks weren’t dropped after three quarters, just 4 points behind, 81-77. But Burks and Immanuel Quickley each scored a 3-point opener in the 4th quarter and the Knicks quickly went to +10. The gap returned to 5 points (96-91) with an effective zone defense from Milwaukee, a 3-point Thanasis Antetokounmpo (23 points at 8/15, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) and a dunk of Brook Lopez (12 points at 6/11, 10 rebounds) helped the Bucks equalize at 96 everywhere.
At 1’19 remaining, a 3-point Burks gave New York the 99-96 advantage. Milwaukee then missed his next two 3-point attempts, and also lost a ball. Burks returned a free throw following a technique 8 seconds from the buzzer for the 4. The rookie Jordan Nwora (45th draft pick) signed 21 points at 7/18, 10 rebounds and 2 assists for the Bucks.
Axel Toupane played 27 minutes for 2 1/4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block for Milwaukee. Back after a month of absence due to COVID-19, Derrick Rose signed 13 points at 6/15 off the bench for the Knicks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI3JtyDZ_5o
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