Rapid Recap: Bucks 123, Kings 111

No Giannis Antetokounmpo? No problem.

Despite lacking the MVP, the Bucks wouldn’t have any trouble carving out points in the opening quarter. Brook Lopez and Eric Bledsoe (10 points apiece) would lead the way for Milwaukee, with Khris Middleton aiding the efforts with nine of his own. At the end of one, Milwaukee pieced together a 38-24 advantage.

Sacramento would slice into the Bucks’ lead throughout the second quarter, holding the deficit to single digits for most of the period. They’d scratch their way into their first lead of the ballgame with just over 30 seconds in the first half, and would hold a single-point advantage at halftime, 58-57.

The Kings would ride a hot-shooting third quarter that’d allow them to maintain their lead. There’d be some odd lineup combinations trotted out by the Bucks, and at one point, they’d find themselves down by six points — the largest deficit of the night to date. Heading into the fourth, they’d find themselves down a pair of points, 90-88.

A 10-0 run would launch the Bucks into the lead to start the fourth quarter. That lead would quickly grow to 14 points, their largest lead of the night. Though Sacramento would fight to make it interesting, that run would be all Milwaukee needed. They’d hold on for a 123-111 victory.

Stat That Stood Out

Have a game, Eric Bledsoe! He absolutely came alive, pouring out 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting. He showed the aggressive nature that’s built him a career in the NBA, but he did so in a smart way. He never forced anything, and by doing so, was able to enable himself as the key cog of the Bucks’ Antetokounmpo-less offense. He’d also connect on several threes, including one that was an absolute heat check. Shooting has always been viewed as one of the areas Bled can most improve on, and he was feeling it tonight.