In a 112-100 loss, the Derrick Rose-led team prevailed. The Knicks’ recent struggles at home continued with their third straight loss at MSG and fourth in five games. Their perimeter defence was still an issue, as the Bucks shot 52 per cent (26 of 50) from beyond the arc. Pat Connaughton, a reserve, made 8 of his 14 threes, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, scored 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. As the struggling starters rested, Derrick Rose led the Knicks with 22 points and Immanuel Quickley scored 18.
It was identical to the first half when the Knicks’ sole inspirational stretch came from the bench when the backups rallied the team from an 11-point disadvantage with a 16-4 run. The defence was formidable. The Bucks restored their lead when Thibodeau went back to his starting lineup, closing the half on an 11-2 run. Bobby Portis, who led the team in scoring in the first half with 16 points, contributed eight of those points. Last year’s Most Improved Player Julius Randle struggled the whole game tonight with just 16 points.
The Bucks threatened to run the Knicks off the court in the third quarter, going on a 32-8 run that spanned the second and third quarters. Thibodeau’s starters were settling for long jumpers, failing to defend the 3-point line, and playing with little energy. In the 4th when Knicks led by Rose tied the at 89 pieces, it was Pat’s barrage of threes that took the Bucks home with a win and improve their record to 6-6.
Winners Win.
23 PTS | 9 REB | 5 AST | 54% pic.twitter.com/oKgiZaT7xj
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 11, 2021
