Milwaukee cruises to a smooth win in Detroit
The penultimate Bucks Stock Market report is all upstocks as there wasn't much to complain about in terms of player performance on Friday night.
The Bucks Stock Market is a fictitious market run by the GSPN crew that tracks player stock “movement” following the conclusion of every game. Here’s the spreadsheet logging the game-by-game results.
The Milwaukee Bucks, contrary to what we expected when we recorded a full house GSPN crossover podcast on Thursday night, brought all of their starters to Detroit on Friday for the second night of a back to back against the lowly Pistons. Outside of a spirited second quarter Pistons run the game went as you’d expect it to with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez taking on one of the worst two teams in the conference, as the Bucks cruised to an 131-101 victory. The bad news, unfortunately, is that George Hill went to the locker room after checking out in the third quarter and did not return due to abdominal soreness — he was grabbing at his ribs before departing the game. Hopefully that doesn’t end up being too serious of an injury, as Hill has fought hard to get back for the playoffs and had one of his better games of the season against the Pistons.
Giannis Antetokounmpo 📈
Giannis had a slow start offensively in Detroit but that didn’t last long as he utterly dominated Detroit in the second half. Antetokounmpo ended with 30 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and just 1 turnover in his less than 28 minutes. A flurry of and-ones and dimes in fourth quarter ensured this wouldn’t be a close game late, as we were treated to yet another example of Giannis gripping a game and willing it to his desired outcome. Just apex superstar things.
Brook Lopez 📈
Speaking of dominant Bucks big men, Brook Lopez played a big role in Milwaukee re-taking a huge lead after the Pistons made the game interesting in the second quarter. Lopez ended with 17 points, 4 rebounds (plus tons of great work boxing out, of course), and a block in 21 minutes. No need to question it anymore: Brook is ready for the playoffs. What a relief.
George Hill 📈
There are obviously bigger reasons that it’s sad to see George Hill leave a game with an injury just before the playoffs, but on that list somewhere is that the injury abruptly ended what was a strong game for him in Detroit. Hill recorded 10 points and an assist in his 16 minutes, and shot 3/6 from the field despite missing 3 of his 4 three-point attempts. Hopefully Hill’s malady isn’t too serious, as he’s fought damn hard to represent the Bucks this postseason.
Milwaukee is back in action for the last time this regular season Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 2:30 pm.