Golden State Warrior’s Upset Bid Comes Up Just Short Against Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks took care of business last night, beating a Curry-less Golden State Warriors team, 129-118. The Dubs actually put up a strong fight, keeping it close until the last few minutes when a Khris Middleton and-1 three put the game to bed. Curry was not out with any injury, Kerr simply said he was worn out and needed rest. I have a feeling Kerr thought he might as well rest his star guard against a team like the Bucks who would likely beat them regardless. The Bucks started their usual five, one of the best in the league with Lillard, Middleton, Beasley, Giannis and Lopez. While the Dubs kept the same lineup as last game, replacing Steph with Podz.
The first quarter went as most expected with Curry out. Middleton got the scoring started with a three pointer but Klay quickly answered with one of his own. A few plays later Giannis grabbed a rebound and confidently dribbled up and knocked down a moving trey. But the Warriors were playing well offensively, and took an early 15-9 lead thanks to a Looney middy and a three from Saric and Podz. Damian Lillard went dame time over the course of the next several minutes, knocking down a long ball and getting three nice buckets including an and-1 giving the Bucks a 27-18 lead. Podz, TJD and Kuminga got easy looks at the rim to trim the lead to three but Connaughton and Portis traded threes to extend the lead to 33-24 going into the second quarter. Lestor Quinones subbed in for the Warriors to play his first real minutes of the season to start the second and immediately buried a three pointer. With a little over eight minutes to play, Middleton sank a step back jumper to give Milwaukee a 39-35 lead, but Kuminga responded with five straight and the Warriors regained the lead. A few possessions later Quinones got an easy look at the rim and Kuminga drove to the rack for two to extend Golden State’s cushion to five, 48-43. The Dubs maintained control the rest of the half, and much to the surprise of many fans, took a 56-54 lead into the break.
The Buck’s big three took turns putting up points to start the third, capitalized by a Middleton three pointer to make it a 61-59 game in favor of Milwaukee. But to Golden State’s credit they kept throwing punches, as Podz nailed a trey followed by two buckets from Wiggins and Looney to give the Dubs the lead again. With just over six minutes to go, Klay drained a three extending the lead to seven, 72-65. Though the Bucks responded with a 10-0 burst highlighted by two Giannis dunks and a Lillard jumper from downtown. In the final minute of the third, Kuminga cashed in on a pullup middy giving the Warriors a 81-80 lead, but it was short lived as Lillard converted three from the free throw line after being fouled on a shot from beyond the arc to regain the lead 83-81 with 12 minutes to play. The first half of the fourth was back and forth, but with seven minutes to play following a huge three from Kuminga, Giannis got three the old fashioned way and Milwaukee never looked back. Middleton hit an and-1 jumper before rookie Andre Jackson flushed one home and Malik Beasley striped one from three point range to give the Bucks a 107-98 lead. Klay was able to hit two treys to cut the deficit to five, but a Khris Middleton and-1 three was the dagger and Milwaukee escaped with a 129-118 victory.
Kuminga recorded not only his season-high, but his career-high with 28 points on 10-18 from the field and 6-6 from the charity stripe. Podz and Klay were right behind him with 23 and 21. Klay had 6 threes while Podz snagged a surprising 10 boards to secure a double-double. Wiggins continued to struggle going 3-13 from the field with 7 points but Saric and Looney had solid outings grabbing 6 boards apiece and putting up 12 and 6 points. For Milwaukee, Dame had 16 in the first half but only finished with 27 while racking up 7 dimes and 6 boards. Giannis dropped 33 with 9 rebounds while Middleton put up 24 on a 10-13 clip to go along with 10 rebounds. Lopez and Beasley played their role with 11 points each and Portis and Jackson chipped in off the bench with 10 points a pop.
The biggest story of the game for Golden State was Kuminga’s career night. He has really come on as of late and is playing the best basketball of his young tenure. The best part is, he has not yet unlocked his true potential. When he develops a consistent jumper from beyond the arc he will be almost impossible to guard considering his other-worldly athleticism and touch around the rim. The Dubs were outrebounded as expected as the Bucks are much bigger, but the Warriors actually were great at attacking the rim as they recorded 62 points in the paint. They also took care of the ball exceptionally well, only giving it up 7 times while managing to force Milwaukee to turn it over 12 times. It was a good shooting night for Golden State as they shot 48% from the field and nearly 42% from distance. Had they played better defense in the fourth, they very well could have pulled off the upset. But when you allow 47 fourth quarter points, it’s tough to win the game.
With the loss, the Dubs drop to 18-21 and 12th in the West. They are a game and a half out of the play-in, and 5.5 games out of the sixth seed. Fortunately for them, the next two games are very winnable as they close out the four game road trip with the Grizzlies and the Jazz. First up is Memphis Monday afternoon. With Ja Morant out for the season and Marcus Smart dealing with an injury himself, the Grizzlies season is looking bleak. I’ve got the Warriors winning 123-110 as Curry makes his return while Klay and Kuminga continue their good play.