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The Milwaukee Bucks get over the .500 mark by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 98-94, at the Bradley Center. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the way with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
Tony Snell did not score a point in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 98-94 victory over Oklahoma City on Monday night.
But Bucks coach Jason Kidd and Snell’s teammates were singing his praises after the 6-foot-7 guard knocked the ball away and off Thunder guard Russell Westbrook’s knee on the pivotal play of the game with 8.8 seconds left and the Bucks clinging to a two-point lead.
A video review overturned the call on the court of Thunder basketball and Oklahoma City (21-14) had to foul. Malcolm Brogdon then calmly sank two free throws to secure Milwaukee’s victory, its second in a row and a true confidence-builder.
Snell credited his teammates but he used his length to help force Westbrook into a 9-of-28 shooting night, including 2 of 10 from threepoint range. Westbrook ended with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists but made just 3 of 17 shots in the second half.
“You’re talking about one of the best players in the league, an MVP candidate,” Snell said. “He causes a lot of havoc in this league.
“On the last play he blew right past me, but I had a little tip of the basketball and it got his knee. I got lucky on that one.”
Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said he opted to take the ball in the backcourt after a timeout because he wanted Westbrook to get up a full
head of steam. Westbrook did come with pace but lost the ball.
“He’s one of the fastest I’ve ever seen,” Snell said. “Credit to my teammates for helping me out all night. They were showing their length.”
Snell took only two shots and had three rebounds and one assist in 31 minutes.
Bucks center John Henson scored the goahead basket with 54.2 seconds left off a nifty inside pass from Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Henson said Snell’s effort was critical.
“Nine-for-28, that’s going to win you games right there, man,” Henson said. “We’ll live with him scoring 30 off 28 shots. Credit to Tony. He sacrificed himself today. That was big.”
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks (17-16) with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, but he was denied twice on drives in the final 2 minutes. That’s when he made an adjustment that resulted in Henson’s basket.
“I tried twice to finish through the big guy, but then I realized that John was going to be open,” Antetokounmpo said.
Jabari Parker added 19 points and six rebounds and Greg Monroe had 15 points and seven rebounds to lead the Bucks’ bench effort.
Westbrook produced a triple-double in 19 minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, but he failed to get the triple-double this time. He has 16 triple-doubles in 35 games.
“For us the whole night, we were trying to put as many bodies in front of him, just to slow him down,” Kidd said. “He’s going to come no matter what. That’s what he does. He shoots 28 times so you have to try to make it tough on him.”
Thunder center Steven Adams had 20 points, including 16 in the first half, and Victor Oladipo added 18.
Westbrook scored on a drive to give the Thunder an 88-86 lead with 5:56 remaining, but the Bucks responded with a basket by Parker in the lane, two free throws by Brogdon and a dunk by Antetokounmpo to move ahead, 92-88.
Kidd said Antetokounmpo made winning plays, including the pass to Henson.
“You can just see he’s growing and his confidence is getting better each time he takes the floor,” Kidd said. “He’s understanding he doesn’t have to score the ball; he can use his teammates to get shots. That was a heck of a play he made with Henson. You’re talking about two 7-footers passing the ball to each other.”
Snell’s defensive ability was a primary reason for the Bucks acquiring him from the Chicago Bulls prior to the season, after Khris Middleton was injured.
“We got to see him up close, being down the street in Chicago,” Kidd said. “He can shoot the three, but it’s his defense he takes pride in. We’ve asked him to guard everybody and play as many minutes as he can before he passes out. He’s done that well for us.”