Milwaukee vs. New York: Bucks Dissect Knicks, 123-102

Christmas came a few days early for New York Knicks fans on Saturday night in the Garden. Not only did they get to see the best player in the NBA in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they also got to watch the best team in basketball in your Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks poured in a plethora of three-pointers in the first quarter and raced out to a double-digit lead almost immediately. Milwaukee kept the foot on the gas and as a result, were able to comfortably rest their starters in the first game of a back-to-back set.

Three Bucks

Apparently, all that big man Brook Lopez needed to break out of his three-point shooting drought was a date with the lowly Knicks. He was firing away early and nailed a handful of triples in the games first few minutes. Splash Mountain dropped 14 points while making 4-of-8 tries from deep. He also swatted seven shots in the all-around performance. He has been providing stellar interior defense for the Bucks all season, but the one thing that has yet to click for him thus far is his three-ball, so maybe tonight was a turning point for him.

Giannis Antetokounmpo needed only 22 minutes to drop a 16 point, 10 rebound, 10 assist triple-double. In all, he ended the night with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in 26 minutes. The Knicks simply had no answer for him whether it was in the half-court or in transition. His passing was spectacular in the victory as he completed a handful of pinpoint passes while contorting his body in mid-air. Giannis also made 8-of-10 field goal attempts but did shoot 4-of-8 from the charity stripe. Blowouts and Giannis getting extra rest in games seems to be the norm now.

Donte DiVincenzo was all over the court on Saturday night versus the Knicks. With Wesley Matthews out nursing a thigh issue, Donte was able to have the ball in his hands a bit more than usual. He played 25 minutes and sank 5-of-8 field goal attempts en route to 13 points and seven rebounds. He is like the energizer bunny, he just keeps going and going on both ends of the floor. His motor is through the roof.

Bonus Bucks

• Khris Middleton scored 23 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 24 minutes. It was a relatively smooth night for Middleton, but he did turn the ball over five times. Still, he finished a game-high plus-35.
• There is nothing more pure than a three-pointer hoisted up by Kyle Korver hitting nothing but net. He tormented the Knicks to the tune of 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting while also hitting three three-pointers.
• George Hill played only 13 minutes but did score 10 points. He was slightly limping at some point in the early stages of the first half, but thankfully this was a game where he did not have to play “big” minutes.
• THANASIS!!!!

• The Bucks made 18 three-pointers in their 26th victory of the season.