Bucks stand alone
Milwaukee is only undefeated NBA team after beating Toronto, 124-109.
This summer, the Milwaukee Bucks set out to assemble the best possible roster to compete at the highest levels of the NBA.
Obviously, that meant getting the right pieces to put around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, having a strong supporting cast doesn’t mean much if they only work around the star. In order to be the best version of themselves, the Bucks needed to find the combination of talents to fit within coach Mike Budenholzer’s system regardless
of who was on the court.
With Antetokounmpo sitting behind the bench in a salmon-colored suit while in the concussion protocol Monday night, his teammates demonstrated that, unlike years past, they’re more than up for the challenge without their leader. In a battle of 6-0 teams against the Toronto Raptors, who were also without their superstar Kawhi Leonard, the Bucks didn’t miss a beat in a 124-109 victory at Fiserv Forum.
“As another team’s defense, you’ve got to find a way to respect everybody on the floor at all times,” Bucks center Thon Maker said. “The system’s set up for everybody to succeed if we just do our jobs. We did a great job of doing that tonight. (Antetokounmpo) had our back, having that beautiful suit on the sideline, too.”
By virtue of the win, Milwaukee moved to 7-0 and became the only remaining unbeaten team in the NBA, a title they’ll carry into November. For the seventh consecutive game, the Bucks led by 16 points or more, with that lead growing to as many as 25 in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee’s victory was the consummate team effort, something that has been a hallmark of the team in the early days of Budenholzer’s tenure. No Bucks player scored more than 20 points and seven reached double fig-
ures. Ersan Ilyasova, who filled in for Antetokounmpo as a starter, led the Bucks in scoring with collected 19 points and 10 rebounds, much of his output coming in the first half.
“Offensively, we play with a lot of randomness, a lot of ball movement, a lot of people movement. It’s not as orchestrated or choreographed maybe some other situations,” Budenholzer said before the game. “I think it gives us a chance to be successful without a player like Giannis and not have the drop-off … when a team or players are used to just kind of sitting there and watching one guy be amazing.”
In year past, if Antetokounmpo didn’t play and Khris Middleton was a mere 1 of 7 from the field in the first three quarters, a 15-point margin would be expected, with the Bucks doing the trailing. Instead, under those exact conditions, it was Milwaukee that took a 15-point advantage into the game’s final quarter.
Along with Ilyasova’s strong effort, Maker came back to life, something he’s been known to do against Toronto. Moved up in the rotation by Antetokounmpo’s absence, Maker scored all 11 of his points in the first half and added seven rebounds in an overall efficient performance ripped from the pages of playoffs past.
In a game in which the Bucks shot 48.9% from the field, tied their franchise record with 19 triples and spread out 29 assists, there were plenty of strong individual offensive performances.
Eric Bledsoe collected 17 points and eight assists. Malcolm Brogdon continued his streak of dynamic play with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Middleton woke up from his slow start with a trio of triples in the fourth quarter to reach 14 points. Donte DiVincenzo had 12 points, including a triple to end the third quarter that brought the Fiserv Forum crowd to full throat, as well as eight assists.
“I think we’ve got really good players,” Budenholzer said. “The roster here was in a great place. … Great additions with Brook (Lopez) and Ersan that really are great players. You just kind of build it around those guys. Giannis, Khris, Eric, you go up and down, Malcolm, the players are always the key. Anyone that thinks something different is crazy.”
In a game that was supposed to lose its luster with the two marquee stars sitting out, the Bucks still put together a sterling performance. And they’re still the only unbeaten team in the league.