Rapid Recap: Bucks 127, Pelicans 112

The Milwaukee Bucks didn’t even need their reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to dispatch the New Orleans Pelicans, 127-112. It was an almost wire-to-wire defeat for Milwaukee, who took a 69-46 advantage into halftime and never let up even down to the final buzzer.

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Eric Bledsoe was on fire to start the game, beginning 3-3 from deep that put the Pelicans into a hole and then continued onto a 29-point, 6-assist evening. Khris Middleton added 24 points for the night, but was a rather ho-hum (for him!) 11-22 from the field. Ersan Ilyasova filled in ably in Giannis’ stead, going off for 18 points and nine rebounds.

Brandon Ingram was one of the standout scorers for the Pelicans, logging 25 points and 10 rebounds for the evening. As per usual, J.J. Redick couldn’t miss against Milwaukee, exacting continual revenge for his lost half season in the city, hitting 10-16 for 31 points. Jrue Holiday added 21 points, six boards and six assists but turned it over eight times.

Stat That Stood Out

When you’re as hot as the Milwaukee Bucks were in this one, there’s no other stat to highlight than their 48.7% (19-39) shooting from beyond the arc. They got outscored in fast break points by 7, held merely a 12-point advantage in the paint, and got outscored by 10 on the charity stripe. But their hot shooting streak continued and propelled them to victory even without Giannis on hand.