The Milwaukee Bucks failed to snap their five-game losing streak and lost their second matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, 116-114. The Bucks fought all night to snap the losing streak, but the red-hot Cavs were too much to handle without Giannis Antetokounmpo
In the game against Cleveland on Saturday, Damian Lillard scored 41 points. With a 5-for-9 shooting percentage from beyond the arc, Lillard finished with 36 points and seven assists. Antetokounmpo missed the game as he dealt with a right adductor strain. Bobby Portis Jr. took over the starting forward spot and finished with 21 points and 18 rebounds.
Following the game, head coach Doc Rivers and Lillard had nothing but positive things to say about their season-opening experience. A reporter asked if Rivers is worried, considering that only 12 of the 150 teams that have competed since 1970 have made it to the postseason.
Lillard, on the other hand, believes that the Bucks will get their rhythm this season.
“When you look at the big picture, it’s such a long season. It’s 75 games left and I’ve been part of teams that won 16 straight, 14 straight… sometimes, you just get in a ditch. Sometimes it can happen in the middle of the season, it can happen at the end of the season. I think because it’s happening in the beggining, it just looks different.” (4:04)
Despite their difficulties, their franchise star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has been the subject of numerous trade discussions.
An Eastern Conference team could trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Due to the team’s dismal start to the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the subject of trade discussions. NBA Insider Bill Reiter reported Thursday that two Eastern Conference teams would be interested in making a big trade for the Greek Freak. Reiter conjectured that the star might be traded to the Brooklyn Nets or Miami Heat.
Ahead of the Bucks’ Monday game against the Cavs, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that the New York Knicks could join the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
“The Knicks were mentioned more often in recent months than the Heat or Warriors as a potential down-the-road trade suitor for Giannis…” Stein wrote. “albeit before their acquisition of KAT. I’ve heard more than one rival team since the trade…wonder aloud about whether having a player of Towns’ caliber on the roster for a potential future Antetokounmpo offer was among the Knicks’ motivations for giving in on their long-held reluctance to include Donte DiVincenzo…& push for that deal’s completion when they did.”
Giannis has played six games this season averaging 31.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
