MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks delivered a resounding 120-84 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, marking a significant milestone for coach Doc Rivers, who ascended to eighth place on the NBA’s regular-season wins list. Damian Lillard led the charge with 26 points in his return from a two-game absence due to injury, while Malik Beasley’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc contributed significantly to the win.
The Bucks, showing considerable improvement to move to 2-5 under Rivers, demonstrated a dominant performance that saw them leading by 28 points at halftime and extending their advantage to as many as 42 points in the second half. Giannis Antetokounmpo, playing just 24 minutes, tallied 15 points and 15 rebounds, further highlighting Milwaukee’s overwhelming presence on the court.
Lillard’s performance was particularly noteworthy, not just for his scoring, but also for his eight assists over 29 minutes. The star guard emphasized the team’s increased physicality and defensive prowess, a point of pride that resonated with the Bucks’ aspirations to be considered serious contenders in the league.
The Hornets, facing their 10th consecutive loss, struggled to find their rhythm, hindered by a short-handed roster that saw just 10 available players following a series of trade deadline moves. Despite the effort from Brandon Miller and Nick Richards, who each scored 16 points, Charlotte’s overall shooting percentage languished at 34.2%, a testament to Milwaukee’s defensive pressure.
Beasley’s performance was a bounce-back from a previous outing, with the guard setting a new Bucks franchise record for games with five or more 3-pointers, surpassing Ray Allen’s mark set during the 2001-02 season. His focus on defense and rebounding from a 0-for-9 3-point shooting night against Minnesota was a key factor in Milwaukee’s commanding lead.
Patrick Beverley’s debut for the Bucks, following a trade from Philadelphia, added a new dimension to Milwaukee’s play. Beverley’s immediate impact and connection with Rivers, stemming from their time together with the LA Clippers, underscored the veteran guard’s importance to the team’s defensive strategy moving forward.
As the Bucks prepare to host the Denver Nuggets, they’ll look to build on this comprehensive win, leveraging their defensive improvements and offensive firepower. The Hornets, on the other hand, aim to regroup and integrate new acquisitions Seth Curry and Grant Williams as they return home to face the Memphis Grizzlies, hoping to end their losing streak and start a new chapter post-trade deadline.
