Bucks vs. Nets Recap: Bounceback Game Brings Win, 88-83

In typical NBA Summer League fashion, the buckets didn’t come easy. At least not to start the game, with the first points not coming until 1:31 into the game. The scoring eventually did get going however as the Milwaukee Bucks bounced back from a disconcerting loss Friday night to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 88-83.

While the misses were plenty early on, they were at least entertaining. Two airballs on two possessions for the Nets followed by an always wonderful wedgie. Finding himself wide open on the right wing, Gary Payton II pulled up for three and BANG! stuck in the rim. Beautiful.

Rashad Vaughn eventually got the scoring started, knocking down a deep three after a pair of missed jumpers from Thon Maker and Sterling Brown on previous Bucks’ possessions. Vaughn then dropped off a nice dish to Thon who was able to convert an and-one dunk that would have made Moose proud. The Nets offense struggled early to even find a shot and were unable to get on the board until two and a half minutes into the game. After one quarter the Bucks held an 18-14 lead.

Coming out of the break, rookie D.J. Wilson knocked in a contested three pointer and later Bronson Koenig would nail one of his own. However on the next possession Bronson would turn the ball over to give Brooklyn some momentum. Travis Trice provided a spark for Milwaukee off the bench, scoring six points in the first half and getting to the line often, going 4-4 from the free throw line in 12 minutes on the court. The Nets were able to win the second quarter however and the two teams went into the half tied at 35.

The third quarter was the Rashad Vaughn show. Playing in the same city that he did in both High School and College, Rashad Vaughn certainly looked comfortable in his return. He also looked like the best player on the court. In the third quarter alone, Vaughn poured in 11 points, including a heat check three from about 26 feet out. Vaughn finished the game with 31 points and seven rebounds and is the first person to score 30 points in an NBA Summer League game this year.

Led by Vaughn and Wilson, Milwaukee was able to retake the lead heading into the fourth 65-62. The it would remain close into the final minute of the game when the Bucks were able to finally close it out with Sterling Brown nailing two free throws in the final seconds.