Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks posts up in the game against the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, February 25, 2020. /VCG
Milwaukee Bucks 108-97 Toronto Raptors
Defeating the Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday was not only the fourth straight win of the Bucks, but it also made them the first team to reach 50 wins this season.
The Raptors put up probably the best defense Giannis Antetokounmpo has met so far this season. The Greek Freak was only 5-14 to get 19 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists. Every time he posted up, the Raptors would double team him and even triple team him as he drove towards the rim.
Toronto established a 12-point lead when there were two minutes left in the second quarter, their biggest lead this game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks blocks a shot in the game against the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena, February 25, 2020. /VCG
After that, Milwaukee responded with tougher defense, accompanying counter-attack waves. In the following 14 minutes, the team did what they do the best, protecting the paint. The five blocks delivered by Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez were a deterrent to Toronto which then had to turn more of their offense outside.
However, Toronto's players who drained 11 triples in the first half, grew cold quickly and only made four shots from the arch during this time. By contrast, Milwaukee buried six 3-pointers while Eric Bledsoe, Lopez and Khris Middleton made up the offensive firepower for Antetokounmpo.
Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks penetrates in the game against the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada, February 25, 2020. /VCG
As a result, the Bucks not only wiped the score difference soon, but also regained the lead 84-71 after the third quarter. The team won 44 of 45 times when they entered the fourth quarter as the leading side previously and Tuesday was no exception.
"You always remember the last time you play here. It was definitely on my mind," said Antetokounmpo, whose team were knocked out by the Raptors in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
New Orleans Pelicans 109-118 Los Angeles Lakers
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 25, 2020. /VCG
Zion Williamson and LeBron James, representing the league's future and past respectively, finally met at the Staples Center on Tuesday. In the end, James, who dropped 40 points, eight rebounds and six assists beat Williamson who put down 29 points, six rebounds and three assists.
This is 35-year-old James' first 40+point game this season. His efforts helped the purple and gold extend their win-streak to six.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 25, 2020. /VCG
"The kid is special. In today's game, where it's a track race, it's fast-paced, it's high tempo, it fits his game perfectly. And the way they did play, it fits his game perfectly," said James of Williamson after the game.
James was not flattering Williamson. The 19-year-old showed no fear in front of the Lakers' big-men-legion: JaVale McGee, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard. He took advantage of his epic combination of power and athleticism to keep assaulting the opponents' rim and earned 19 free throws (13 made). The last 19-year-old who could stand on the free throw line at least 17 times in one game were James and Andre Drummond.
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans tries to dunk in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 25, 2020. /VCG
Furthermore, Williamson became a surprise in defense as well. He guarded Davis, who's some 10 centimeters taller than Williamson, in multiple one-on-one possessions and made Davis very uncomfortable. Williamson is smart as he ignored all of Davis' fake moves, buckled down, continuously tussled with Davis using his strong lower body. Davis did not make any field goal shot in front of Williamson.
Of course, Williamson did not get everything he wanted. He allowed five blocks on him and missed 10 of 18 attempts. Though he managed to extend his consecutive 20+point games to nine, Williamson's field goal rate on Tuesday was only 44.4 percent, the second worst this season.
Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 25, 2020. /VCG
One lesson the Pelicans' head coach Alvin Gentry should learn from Tuesday's loss is that he must make clear who the team's go-to-guy when the game is on the line. The Pelicans trailed by only four points (108-104) when there were less than four minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, the team apparently had no idea who should be in charge and thus decided to try it one by one from Brandon Ingram to Josh Hart, then to Williamson and then to Jrue Holiday. By the way, none of them scored anything.
By contrast, James was in full control of the Lakers' offense during the same time. With four points and one assist, he expanded the purple and gold's lead to 10 points (114-104), sealing the win in advance.
Considering both the players' positions, skills and performances this season, Ingram who claimed 34 points, seven rebounds and four assists on Tuesday should be given more thought.
Other results on Tuesday (home teams in bold):
Charlotte Hornets 80-119 Indiana Pacers
Oklahoma City Thunder 124-122 Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons 98-115 Denver Nuggets
Boston Celtics 118-106 Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings 112-94 Golden State Warriors