Brogdon, Dellavedova are strong running mates Friday
LOS ANGELES - Malcolm and Delly.
The Milwaukee Bucks could do an advertising campaign featuring The President and his running mate.
Or is it the other way around?
Malcolm Brogdon is known as The President for his cerebral skills and Matthew Dellavedova is True Grit. Bucks at Lakers When: 9:30 p.m. TV: FSWis Radio: AM-620
They have formed a strong point guard tandem for Bucks coach Jason Kidd, who has started both players and used them together at key times.
One of those moments
came Wednesday in the final 5 minutes of a tight game with the Los Angeles Clippers. Brogdon joined Dellavedova in the game with 5:35 remaining and the Bucks holding a four-point lead and trying to close out the Clippers.
They got the job done in a 97-96 victory, with Dellavedova and Brogdon playing together until the final 30 seconds when Khris Middleton replaced Brogdon.
Dellavedova finished with 12 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, and Brogdon had 11 points and five assists as he returned to a starting role.
“Two pro guys and they understand either one can start,” Kidd said.
Dellavedova hit two critical three-pointers late in the game off feeds from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Dellavedova was in a shooting slump after the allstar break but has found his rhythm while hitting 15 of 24 three-point attempts (62.5%) over the last six games.
His toughness also was on display Wednesday when he bodied Blake Griffin as the Clippers forward bulled into the lane but missed a potential game-winning shot in the final second. And he helped limit Chris Paul to six points, far below his 18-point average.
“Delly was great again,” Kidd said. “It’s hard to guard Chris Paul, and he also was able to set all those screens for Giannis late in the game. I thought the guards, Malcolm and Delly, did a really good job of controlling the tempo for us.”
Brogdon continues to make his case for the rookie of the year award although he said he’s not focused on it. He impressed NBA coaches and team executives during the draft process last June and has continued to do it on the court as a 24-yearold rookie.
“When you walked out of the interview with Brogdon, you were like, ‘My gosh, he actually should be running for president,’” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.
Kidd said the Bucks were impressed as well.
“In Chicago (at the draft combine) when we did the interview process with him, everyone felt he should be the No. 1 pick,” Kidd said with a laugh.
Brogdon was projected as a late first-round pick or early secondrounder,
and the Bucks got a bargain when he fell to them at No. 36 overall in the second round.
“I don’t have any conspiracy theories,” Kidd said. “I’m just happy he was on the board when we had the opportunity to pick.
“Just understanding the language (of plays) can confuse some guys, but Malcolm can understand the language. That makes the process go a little bit quicker than most.
“He’s a competitive guy. He might not have the expression out on the floor or show you any nerves. But he’s always under control and as a rookie that can really help your team.”
The Bucks had a light day of work Thursday before returning to the Staples Center on Friday to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Their victory against the Clippers moved them into the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race, just 11⁄2 games behind sixth-place Indiana.
Milwaukee now has a chance for a sweep of the L.A. games, which could set it up for a strong showing on its six-game road swing. The Bucks are 1-1 so far and play the Lakers and Golden State Warriors on back-to-back nights this weekend.
The Lakers (20-48) are coming off a 139-100 loss at Houston on Wednesday. D’Angelo Russell has struggled while coming off the bench in the last two games, replaced by Jordan Clarkson as the starting point guard. Julius Randle scored 32 points and Brandon Ingram had 18 in the loss to the Rockets.