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So much went right for the Milwaukee Bucks in the initial period, it was a genuine shock when they missed a shot. Going 18-24 from the floor, they staked a 49-24 lead against a withering Pistons defense, with Giannis at 20 points alone. Khris Middleton entered the game at 4:30 in the first quarter, and promptly splashed his first three from the perimeter. The onslaught continued in the second, with the most points in a first half this season through an 83-55 lead. Bojan Bogdanovic did all he could in the third to try and keep the Pistons in the game, but Milwaukee still held a 115-92 lead with one period to go. Bud waved the white flag (hey, MarJon back!) midway through the fourth quarter as even the backups were able to pour in points.

It was a strong defensive first effort for Milwaukee in the initial period, as the Bucks led 26-23 after one. The team dug itself into a hole within the opening minutes of the second period, but managed to trail just 47-50 by halftime thanks to 19 first half points by Bobby Portis. Another rough offensive period for Milwaukee in the third period ensued, as they went into the final period facing a 86-81 disadvantage with 12 minutes to go. Unfortunately, despite dominating the Cavaliers in previous 4th quarters this year, Milwaukee couldn’t pull it out and ended the season series at 2-2.

The Athletic reported the 33-year-old center and the Bucks have agreed to try and find a place to trade him, and because Ibaka is on board with this idea it makes things easier because he has a no-trade clause. Ibaka re-signed this offseason after the Bucks traded for him in February when Brook Lopez was recovering from back surgery, but Ibaka has appeared in just 16 games and played only twice since Nov. 21 due to illness and personal reasons. Analysis: Ibaka’s $1.8 million salary is palatable for other teams to absorb but is there enough on film from his last 70 games from 2021-23 in Los Angeles and Milwaukee to make a team feel he can contribute? And how do other teams feel about him essentially asking out of a backup role on a title contender? If the Bucks cannot find a trade partner that Ibaka will approve of, the team could cut him at his full salary as Ibaka would have to give up money on a buyout.

Gabe Vincent scored 27 points, Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 13 rebounds and the Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks 111-95 Saturday. Victor Oladipo added 20 points and Jimmy Butler had 16 for the Heat. Miami won its second straight against the Bucks after a 108-102 home victory on Thursday. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the two games against Miami because of left knee soreness.

Gabe Vincent scored a career-best 28 points, Bam Adebayo had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Heat beat the Bucks 108-102 in a game in which at least five would-be starters were out for various reasons. “We're developing some grit and mental toughness and stability," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Jimmy Butler had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat, who got 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from Victor Oladipo.

If there is one thing Jon Horst isn’t afraid of, it’s trying to improve the roster of the Milwaukee Bucks to try to maximize the championship window and MVP-caliber play of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The general manager’s moves have varied in scope, however, since he took over in the summer of 2017. Horst has done much of his work in the summer months, from signing Brook Lopez to trading for Jrue Holiday, but he’s made in-season moves as well: George Hill (December, 2018), Nikola Mirotić (February, 2019), P.J. Tucker (March, 2021), Jevon Carter and Serge Ibaka (February, 2022) have been acquired in recent seasons. If Horst seeks to change the Bucks roster during this season, though, some creativity will be needed. Here is a breakdown of key people, dates and figures as the season rolls on to the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Antetokounmpo had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Milwaukee rallied in the second half and beat the New York Knicks 111-107 on Monday night. Joe Ingles added a season-high 17 points and Brook Lopez also scored 17 for the Bucks, who made 12 3-pointers after falling behind 70-53 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Terry Rozier scored a season-high 39 points and the Charlotte Hornets matched an NBA record with 51 in the first quarter of a 138-109 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. Charlotte’s 51-point outburst tied the NBA mark for a first quarter set by Golden State against Denver in 2019. It also was a franchise record for most points in any period.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 10 assists and a season-high 21 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season, Grayson Allen hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 11.6 seconds to go in overtime and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Toronto Raptors 104-101 on Wednesday night. Antetokounmpo, who scored a career-high 55 points Tuesday night against Washington, came in having posted at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in each of his past three games. The two-time MVP shot 7 for 18 against Toronto, making 1 of 3 from 3-point range and 15 of 21 at the free throw line.

Ja Morant had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Memphis Grizzlies pounded the Milwaukee Bucks 142-101 on Thursday night. Dillon Brooks added 18 points and Tyus Jones had 16 as eight Grizzlies scored in double figures. Memphis led from start to finish in its seventh straight win. Memphis' win, coupled with New Orleans' overtime loss to Utah on Thursday night, moved the Grizzlies into first place in the Western Conference.

Brook Lopez understands that playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to create plenty of open looks. His improved 3-point shooting is helping the Milwaukee Bucks' 7-foot center capitalize more than ever. Lopez shot 7 for 9 from 3-point range and scored 29 points as the Bucks beat the skidding Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 on Wednesday night.

Jrue Holiday made sure the young and pesky Detroit Pistons wouldn't take down an NBA heavyweight for a second straight night. Holiday delivered one of the step-back jumpers that make his teammates marvel as he connected on a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 45.3 seconds left in the Milwaukee Bucks' 110-108 victory over the Pistons on Monday night. Holiday finished with 25 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday each scored 34 points as the Milwaukee Bucks responded after falling behind in the fourth quarter to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-115 on Saturday night and remain unbeaten. Antetokounmpo scored 30 of his 34 points after halftime and also had 17 rebounds. Holiday also had 12 assists as the Bucks withstood Trae Young’s 42-point effort and improved to 5-0. “We really just stayed confident,” Holiday said. “I don't think we felt any type of pressure. We kind of knew what we had to do. Down the stretch, we did a great job."

The Milwaukee Bucks remained the NBA's lone unbeaten team by relying on their defense. That's just the way Giannis Antetokounmpo likes it. Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists as the Bucks led nearly the whole way in a 119-108 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night. Milwaukee (4-0) won despite shooting a season-low 38.5%.

Brooklyn coach Steve Nash wasn't around to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo finish picking the Nets apart. Nash was ejected for the first time in his coaching career after arguing that Antetokounmpo should have been called for an offensive foul against Patty Mills while bringing the ball up the court in the third quarter. Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks dominated the rest of the way in a 110-99 victory Wednesday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 44 points and became Milwaukee’s career free throws leader as the Bucks rolled to a 125-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. Antetokounmpo went 8 of 13 from the foul line to increase his total to 3,508 free throws out of 4,891 attempts (71.7%). Sidney Moncrief made 3,505 free throws with the Bucks from 1979-89.

Mike Budenholzer is often known for his rigorous coaching methods, but recent years have given him an avenue to try new things. In the spirit of new strategies, defending the perimeter better is one of their game plans - to cover for the points they gave up from deep last season. And the preseason was their platform to find out what works and what doesn’t – in their new approach.

The Golden State Warriors of 2018 are considered one of the great teams of all-time and were nearly unstoppable thanks to one of the deadliest all-time pairings of eventual Hall of Famers, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. The dazzling combination of former MVPs who also are amongst the moth lethal offensive players ever to play the game gave the team a one-two punch unlike any in modern history. In the three seasons they played together from 2017 to 2019, the team coasted to two championships and would have likely won a third had Durant not suffered a devastating ruptured Achilles injury.

I Toured the NEW Basketball Hall of Fame! (Kobe Bryant Museum!) | Crazy Tour of the New Basketball Hall of Fame w/ New Kobe Bryant Exhibit! | What’s up everyone, we’re back with another video! Today showing you the newly renovated basketball Hall of fame with the new Kobe Bryant section to honor the late and great Kobe! Just in time for the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinment ceremony! If you’re a basketball fan, you NEED to come check this place out! ►►Add me! ►Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Evan_Yee">https://twitter.com/Evan_Yee</a> ►Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/evanyee">https://www.instagram.com/evanyee</a>/ ►Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/evanyeeYT">https://facebook.com/evanyeeYT</a> ►►For Business Inquires: evanyeeYT@gmail.com

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the NBA, according to a new survey of people around the league. In the survey of 15 coaches, scouts and executives polled by ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Antetokounmpo received 11 votes.