© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Damian Lillard makes franchise history in the Milwaukee Bucks' rout of the Phoenix Suns
With superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined because of hamstring soreness, the onus to carry the team fell on the shoulders of All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. And he did not disappoint. Dame put up 31 points and 16 assists—the first performance of this kind in the Bucks’ long and decorated history. The 16 dimes also matched Lillard’s career-high.
Be in attack mode
Lillard shared that knowing the Bucks were not going to have Giannis in uniform; he knew he had to be aggressive in making plays. Not to say he was going to shoot the ball every single time, but more so, being in attack mode. An approach that proved successful for the Bucks as they dominated Kevin Durant and the Suns from start to finish.
“I just wanted to come out and be in attack mode, really,” Lillard said.
“I didn’t really think to myself I have to score a bunch of points., I just knew I had to be a problem for the defense, getting into the paint, getting them in rotations, making them have to help and that’s just how I played. I kept making the right play and guys just made shots.”
Bucks shot the lights out
Lillard also gave credit to his teammates for making shots whenever the ball got swung to them. Milwaukee made 54 percent of their attempts versus Phoenix, including a blistering 58 percent from beyond the arc.
“I give a lot of credit to the guys' shot-making. Even though I created the plays, you don’t always make shots at that clip, and we did tonight,” Lillard said, referring to the Bucks’ 24 three-pointers.
