© Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Cold-shooting Damian Lillard delivers in Milwaukee's huge win over Minnesota
Damian Lillard’s shooting woes continued on Friday night. However, the superstar point guard delivered when it mattered most, helping the Milwaukee Bucks pull off a huge 112-107 win over the streaking Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lillard had been in a shooting slump. He shot 35 percent from the field in Milwaukee's 123-97 loss to the Miami Heat, and 33 percent in a 110-113 defeat to the depleted Memphis Grizzlies before the All-Star break.
Dame's struggles continued against the T-Wolves as he made just 8 of his 24 attempts from the field. He was just 2 of 8 from three-point range in another erratic shooting for the back-to-back All-Star three-point shootout champion.
Dame rose to the occasion
The shooting woes, however, did not stop Dame from pulling the trigger when the Bucks needed a bucket to fend off the rallying Timberwolves.
Minnesota had rallied within three, 107-110, when Lillard took matters into his own hands by sinking a 21-foot floater with 10.3 seconds left that practically sealed the outcome of the contest.
“You can’t let yourself get too caught up in the misses. I knew eventually they would fall,” said Lillard.
The 2024 All-Star Game MVP finished with 21 points, 10 assists, and a season-high nine rebounds. He dropped nine points in the final period as the Bucks won just for the fourth time in 11 games under coach Doc Rivers.
Lillard's endgame brilliance preserved Giannis Antetokounmpo’s productive night. The "Greek Freak" finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
Milwaukee's main men took over
Giannis unloaded eight points in the final period and hit some crucial free throws that enabled the Bucks to stay afloat when the Timberwolves tried to rally from 17 points down.
Antetokounmpo said he and Lillard simply did what was expected of them as they helped the Bucks improve to 36-21 on the season.
“In games like this, in my opinion, you've got to give the ball to your best players to operate and make something happen. And Dame has the ball down the stretch, I have the ball down the stretch, we got some good shots. Dame got some good shots. I was able to get to the free throw line,” Giannis said.
