Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after making a buzzer-beater in the game against the Sacramento Kings at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 14, 2024. /CFP
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Sacramento Kings 143-142 in overtime (OT) at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Sunday, extending their winning streak over these particular opponents to 15 games.
The Bucks trailed by four points (141-137) when there were 33 seconds left in the OT. They had to commit two straight fouls to stop the clock. As a result, Malik Monk went to the free throw line, but missed both shots there, leaving the score unchanged. In the next possession, Brook Lopez made a 3-pointer assisted by Giannis Antetokounmpo, cutting their deficit to one point.
The next King sent to the free throw line was De'Aaron Fox, who missed his first, but made his second shot, leaving 5.2 seconds for the Bucks, with no timeout, to launch attack from the back court baseline. Damian Lillard passed the ball to Lopez who then sent it back to him. Somehow, the Kings didn't try to keep Lillard from receiving the ball or pressure him when he dribbled to the front court.
Damian Lillard (#0) of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots to beat the buzzer in the game against the Sacramento Kings at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 14, 2024. /CFP
Domantas Sabonis was waiting within the 3-point line before Lillard arrived. Fox followed Lillard, but not closely enough to deflect his shooting. He pulled up one step outside the top of the key, shot the ball out of his hands before the time expired and watched it fall into the hoop as a game-winning buzzer-beater.
Having made the big shot, Lillard did his signature watch-checking move, which is known as "Dame Time" while wearing a poker face. In his 37th game for the team, he ignited the home court with what fans had been waiting for so long: a go-to guy to make significant plays during clutch time.
Fairly speaking, Lillard's performance before beating the buzzer was not bad, but not remarkable either. He had shot 8-for-22 from the field, including 4-for-12 behind the arc. He also let Fox stole the ball right from his hands during OT. Antetokounmpo carried the Bucks on his shoulders with a triple-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in addition to three steals. Malik Beasley, Lopez, Bobby Portis and Cameron Payne combined to go 13-for-21 outside the 3-point line. Lopez also set up a no-fly-zone in the Bucks' paint with three blocks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (C) of the Milwaukee Bucks passes in the game against the Sacramento Kings at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 14, 2024. /CFP
The Kings couldn't stop Antetokounmpo from attacking with excellent efficiency of shooting 9-for-16 in field goals (FGs), but managed to limit his offensive production. Sabonis always let him open unless he showed the intention to break in. The Lithuanian center is big, strong and quick enough to slow the "Greek Freak" down. Most of Antetokounmpo's points were scored by bullying Alex Len when Sabonis took a break on the bench.
Lopez's defensivee presence discouraged the Kings from charging the Bucks' rim, but Sabonis enabled his team to work around Lopez' "Maginot Line" with a triple-double of 21 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists. He made nine of his 10 FG attempts while helped Kevin Huerter knock down six triples to get 26 points. The lightning-quick back-court pair of Fox and Monk combined to score 60 points for the Kings. They would have ended their awkward losing streak to the Bucks if they had made the final free throws during OT.
Nikola Jokic (#15) of the Denver Nuggets posts up in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, January 14, 2024. /CFP
Other games on Sunday (away teams come first):
Indiana Pacers 109-117 Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets secured their second consecutive win as four of their players had at least 20 points at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. all got 25 points, Jokic was one assist away from dropping a triple-double. Murray went 10-for-14 from the field within the 3-point line. Porter Jr. knocked down seven triples out of 11 attempts. Aaron Gordon made all seven of his shots under the hoop to add a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Anthony Edwards (L) of the Minnesota Timberwolves penetrates in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 14, 2024. /CFP
Los Angeles Clippers 105-109 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves continued to lead the Western Conference after shutting down the Clippers at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sunday. Anthony Edwards went 10-for-16 in FGs to score court-high 33 points, including 20 in the third quarter alone. The opponents tried different defenders, ranging from Terance Mann, Paul George to Kawhi Leonard, to contain him, but none of them could stop Edwards from dominating the game.
The Clippers trailed by as many as 17 points (97-80) in the first period, but Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell nearly reversed the situation for the team. Powell knocked down three triples to score 13 points in the final quarter. Westbrook had 10 points, six rebounds and five assists in the period. In the end, it was the four straight free throws made by Rudy Gobert that sealed the deal for the Timberwolves.
Charlotte Hornets 97-104 Miami Heat
Phoenix Suns 127-116 Portland trail Blazers