© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks bow to the Golden State Warriors for first loss since All-Star break
Milwaukee’s unbeaten run since the All-Star break came to an end after the Bucks bowed to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, 90-125.
The Bucks dropped to 9-8 under coach Doc Rivers, suffering their first defeat since the All-Star streak as they failed to match their longest winning streak on the season, which stands at seven.
Milwaukee came into the match as winners of six straight games. Defense was a big factor in that surge, but against the Warriors, the Bucks struggled defensively. Milwaukee gave up 40 points in the opening quarter and 38 in the second period.
Offense was the problem
At the end of the first half, the Warriors already had 78 points on the board, while the Bucks could only muster 58. Even though Golden State scored almost at will, Rivers claimed defense was not the problem in the lopsided loss.
“I really didn’t think this was our defense, I thought it was our offense,” Rivers said. “I didn't think we played solid offense all night.”
A meager fourth-quarter production
The Bucks staged a 19-5 run in the third to close the gap at 77-83. Golden State responded with a 10-4 attack to restore a double-digit lead, 93-81, going into the final period. Milwaukee simply ran out of ammunition in the final quarter, where they just scored a measly nine points.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Milwaukee had not been held to nine or fewer points in any quarter since scoring just eight in the first quarter against Miami on Dec. 22, 2018. The Bucks hadn’t been limited to nine or fewer in the final period since scoring nine against Toronto on Feb. 2, 2015.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 23 points in his return from a one-game absence. Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis Jr. each had 20 for Milwaukee, which dropped to 41-22.
Stephen Curry fired in 29 points, and Jonathan Kuminga had 20 as the Warriors bounced back from a 52-point loss to the Boston Celtics to improve to 33-28.
