Los Angeles was in for a disappointing Thursday night when they hosted the Eastern Conference heavyweights, the Milwaukee Bucks. LeBron James was out, and so were Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, leaving a Lakers second unit to fend for themselves. The occasion was set up for a blow-out win and the Bucks obliged the wishes of Darvin Ham, who wanted to “kick Lakers’ a–.” Giannis Antetokounmpo proved to be too big, too strong, and too dominant for the Lakers as they went on to rout the home side in a commanding win. So it was understandably all smiles in the Bucks camp following the 118-89 win as Doc Rivers revealed his master plan that bested JJ Redick.
Since the Luka Doncic trade, the Lakers have been one of the staunchest defenses in the league. Redick’s hustle formula proved how playing hard is the only cheat code in this league. Their showing against the Nuggets on March 14, proved the Lakers minus LeBron James and Luka Doncic were enough to push any team to the limit. Sadly, the repeat didn’t happen last night thanks to Doc Rivers’ ground-and-pound tactics. “Just attack and then make plays. That’s what we want him (Giannis) to do every night,” Rivers said about his strategy during the post-game press conference.
Giannis has made a habit of making extraordinary things look simple. Just ask how helpless Jaxson Hayes felt every time Giannis bully-balled his way to the rim. “We want to put the ball in his hands,” Doc confirmed, grinning ear to ear. “We didn’t want him to play in the fourth (quarter), so we just figured let’s play him in the third and get it over with.”
Mar 5, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Antetokounmpo ended the game with 28 points. The former MVP went downhill every time he got the opportunity and finished the move with devastating slams. In the 28 minutes he played, enough damage was done, leading to Rivers taking the unusual decision to rest him for the final quarter entirely. That’s almost 6 minutes fewer than Giannis’ season average. The Greek star was seen sharing laughs with Damian Lillard on the bench, who wasn’t in the game due to calf soreness. In his absence, former Laker Kyle Kuzma took the initiative. But taking lessons from history, he was wary of the Lakers from the beginning.
Kyle Kuzma admits Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co.’s recent mistake
Before coming to Los Angeles, the Bucks visited the Lakers’ cross-town neighbors. The trip to the Bay Area ended in a humbling experience as the Warriors inflicted a 93-104 loss without Stephen Curry. Psychology played a part as Curry’s absence caught Milwaukee napping. But Giannis and Co. were smart enough to avoid another setback for the same reason.
“I think we let one off the hook in Golden State,” Kuzma confirmed in the post-game locker room interview. “Obviously getting ready you prepare for Golden State for Steph and finding out Steph wasn’t playing earlier that afternoon, and we kind of came out there like Steph wasn’t playing and got popped. So not trying to repeat history and coming out take care of our plate.”
Kyle was in Kuz’s control throughout the game vs his former employers, dropping another 20-point performance. This came after Giannis’ message to him earlier this month. “Do not think about me. You know, when he (Kuzma) gets the ball, try to score. Try to be a threat, and I’ll find the open space,” Antetokounmpo said after the Bucks’ win over the Mavs on March 2. Since then, Kuzma ran into a slump but is now again finding his rhythm in the new set-up after his February trade.
For the Bucks’ next assignment, a short trip to Sac Town awaits on Saturday. Giannis’ team is a game behind the 4th-seed Pacers. And with the playoff picture becoming more prominent, the Bucks would certainly hope to finish with a flurry to enter the post-season with their tails up.
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