Finding their balance early in the day
NEW YORK – A Sunday matinee at Madison Square Garden highlighted two Eastern Conference teams trending in opposite directions, as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the New York Knicks 112-97.
The Bucks (18-10) won their second in a row and for the 12th time in 14 games while the Knicks (12-15) continued their descent down the standings with their seventh loss in their last 10.
While the Knicks had been struggling, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said he was impressed with his team's focus for the 11 a.m. start.
“Yeah it was early,” Bobby Portis said with a smile. “I actually had to get up at 8:15 in the morning, a little earlier than I normally do. Obviously the game-day routine was kind of tweaked today. No shootaround, getting up and damn near having to play a couple hours after you get up. It's not tough at all but just have to stay mentally sharp, mentally locked in on the game plan and just playing your role.”
Seven players reached double figures for the Bucks in a balanced scoring attack. Khris Middleton (24 points) and
Giannis Antetokounmpo (20) led the starting unit, which included Portis (19), Jrue Holiday (13) and Grayson Allen (12). Rodney Hood had his best day of the season with 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting off the bench. Pat Connaughton had 10 points as well.
“I think we're seeing different guys coming in and make plays and make shots, different guys going off each night,” Allen said. “Or there will be stretches where somebody hits a couple big shots. I think tonight it was Bobby for a stretch and Rodney coming in — 14 points off the bench. That's huge.”
Antetokounmpo recorded a tripledouble with 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
Milwaukee dominated in the paint, outscoring New York 46-30 while scoring 22 points off 12 offensive rebounds.
In their two previous games with New York, the Bucks struggled with the Knicks bench, which scored 113 of the Knicks' 213 points. Thanks to some absences and