OKC Thunder Drop Close One To The Milwaukee Bucks (121-119)

The Thunder came into this game knowing they would have their hands full with Giannis Antetokounmpo. What the Bucks didn’t know is that this Thunder team is very scrappy and play as a unit. The Thunder had 7 scorers in double figures tonight against the Bucks and were able to keep things close in this game. The man of the season for the Thunder has been Dennis Schröder because every time he comes into the game it’s instant offense/energy. Dennis Schröder has been able to lift this Thunder team up in moments when they need a boost. Schröder finished with 25 points tonight and should be in serious contention for 6th man of the year. When Dennis comes into the game he uses his slithery crossovers and floaters to keep the Thunder rolling. The Thunder were able to use their defense to create a lot of offense against the Bucks, especially in the first half. The Thunder shot 49% on the night and made some big shots when they needed too.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 22 points tonight against the Bucks. He’s been growing as a player throughout the young season every night. The Bucks tried to put Wesley Matthews on him to slow him down but it didn’t work at all. Shai has been able to create his own shot and create offense for other players on the team. Billy Donovan has used the “3 Point Guard” combination of (Chris Paul, Dennis Schröder, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and it’s worked out really well. The three might be undersized as a unit but when they play together on the court great things happen for the Thunder. Those three together have been able to carry the Thunder in many games and it happened tonight for the most part. They combined for 64 points tonight against the Bucks but it wasn’t enough even though they did get some help from others. The Thunder fans have been waiting for Mike Muscala and tonight he showed up in a big way. Mike had a lot of open looks and the playmakers on the Thunder have continued to show they believe in him. Mike Muscala finished with 12 points as he went 4/9 from the 3 point line. Late in the game, Danilo Gallinari hit a clutch shot to tie the game at 114 over Giannis but the Bucks replied with a 3 pointer from Brook Lopez. Gallinari has had the green light in OKC and he finished with 14 points tonight. If the Thunder had some shots fall late that they normally make this would have been a different outcome.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had his hands all over this game and was able to get every shot he wanted against the Thunder defense. It seemed as though Giannis was gliding to the basket on every euro-step as finished with power. The Thunder were throwing a lot of different looks at Giannis on the defensive side of the ball tonight. It was to the point that at the half Giannis ended up kicking a Thunder sign on the way into the locker room.

After the Thunder played great defense against Giannis he came out in the second half ready to attack especially with Khris Middleton going out with an injury. Giannis was making some plays that only he can as he put his MVP hands all over the game from there on out. Giannis finished the game with 35 points on the night and had some monster dunks to make a statement. Giannis was able to get some help from Eric Bledsoe who finished with 25 points and stepped up in the clutch when they lost Middleton. The Thunder were fighting all night and it came down to the wire but Brook Lopez’s 3 pointer was the dagger that won it for the Bucks. The Thunder will be playing the Pacers next on the road as they try to get back in the win column after this close loss tonight against a really good Bucks team.