Jamal Collier, ESPN
MILWAUKEE — Thanks to a change in the starting lineup and another great performance from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks ended their losing streak at six with a 123-100 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. Ta.
Milwaukee changed its starting group for the first time this season, replacing Gary Trent Jr. with second-year wing Andre Jackson Jr. Jackson, who turns 23 next week, had seven points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds in 28 minutes. .
“He brings energy,” Antetokounmpo said of Jackson’s presence in the starting lineup. “He plays hard and protects his best players. We play faster. He was great today. We definitely need that. We need that brilliance. We need that energy. I need to play.”
Editor’s picks
2 Related
Jackson’s energy helped both Lillard, who scored a game-high 34 points, and Antetokounmpo, who scored 31 points. It was the third time in the first eight games of this season that both players scored at least 30 points, the most by a duo. in the NBA this season.
But despite these two’s quick starts, the Bucks were unable to consistently translate that performance into wins, which is why Thursday’s game was so important.
“I just needed it,” Lillard said. “It was important for us to not only come off a six-game losing streak, but also to get a good feeling.”
On Thursday, the Bucks improved to 2-6, starting a five-game, seven-night stretch. They will play the Knicks again in New York on Friday before returning home to face the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
“It was important to get back in the win column for the next game,” Lillard said. “Let’s do a lot of things that carry over, not just win games. A lot of what we did tonight, against any team, we did it with the pace and energy that we did. I think we’ll be successful. .”
Before joining the starting unit, Jackson saw his minutes steadily increase. He played just one minute of garbage time through the first two games and recorded a season-high 24 minutes, 55 seconds against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
“We continue to look at that position to be a good role player,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before Thursday’s game. “I want (Andre) to just be an athlete. Get to the ball quickly. Play defense and understand your role.”
Rivers didn’t commit to any long-term lineup changes, but said he made the changes to help Trent bounce back from an early-season slump. After signing a veteran minimum contract with Milwaukee this offseason, Trent has struggled, shooting 28 percent from the field and 23 percent from 3-point range in his first seven games.
“I’m just trying to give him some breathing room,” Rivers said. “And get out of his little shit, because I know he will.”
Trent played just eight minutes against the Jazz and scored two points. Coach Rivers said Trent was suffering from back spasms and did not play in the second half.
Antetokounmpo returned to action for Milwaukee after missing the game due to a right adductor strain. He added 16 rebounds in the win and was expected to play Friday.
“It feels good, it feels great,” Antetokounmpo said of ending Milwaukee’s longest losing streak since 2015. “Tomorrow we’ll lose again. We’ll all be trying to remember how it felt to lose, so we won’t go back there.”
“We were able to set the tone, especially in the first and third quarters. The ball was moving. Our guys were defending. We were able to play some good basketball.”
