In the end, Giannis and Lillard help the Bucks defeat the Timberwolves 112-107.

With a 112-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center late on Friday night, the Milwaukee Bucks produced what may have been their greatest performance of the year, defeating the best team in the Western Conference.
For us, it was an excellent barometer, according to Brook Lopez. As you’ve heard, it’s been like a training camp. We put in a lot of great work in the games leading up to the all-star break; the wins and losses didn’t necessarily reflect that, but we had been having great practices and learning a lot from Doc and the staff. That’s exactly what we had yesterday for a fantastic practice. We just played the top team in the West, so obviously you don’t need me to tell you it was a terrific team. It’s an excellent setting. They overpowered and absolutely annihilated us when we played them a few weeks ago. It’s encouraging to come out and play the way we did for the most of the game.

With one minute and fifty-eight seconds remaining in the game, Minnesota managed to cut a 17-point lead to four points thanks to a dramatic comeback by the Timberwolves (39-18), but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard sealed the victory for the Bucks (36-21).
Initially, Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks some breathing space at 108-101 by grabbing two strong offensive rebounds and making three of four free throws. Subsequently, with 47 and 31 seconds left, Anthony Edwards made critical three-pointers to get the Timberwolves within four and three points, respectively. Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony double-teamed Antetokounmpo, who then fed Jae Crowder for a bucket to overcome them.
With 9.2 seconds remaining, Lillard then gave the dagger a 21-foot step-back jumper to make the score 112-107.
According to Antetokounmpo, “you have to give the ball to your best players to operate and make something happen in games like this.” We had several excellent shots, and both Dame and I had the ball down the stretch. Dame made a few solid shots. I succeeded in reaching the free throw line. Brook hit a fantastic three at the top of the key, in my opinion. The excellent one was beneath Jae. Dame had mobility, had his midrange, and made several baskets. A few of our rebounds were offensive. The greatest players who can create an opportunity late in the game must be given the ball, and everyone must be prepared to shoot.
Lillard added: They often rushed two players at me while I was passing the ball to Giannis, who was able to go downhill, get a foul, and finish the play. We were just sustaining one another. We sort of passed the ball well throughout the game, and when you play like that, the men feel at ease and confident. They’ve been touching the ball and making clean shots, which, in my opinion, creates opportunities for them to play effectively in the closing minutes.
Lillard ended with 21 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds, while Antetokounmpo finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. Bobby Portis and Malik Beasley each tallied 14 points, while Lopez scored 16 points.
“You know, that was a good victory?” stated Antetokounmpo. We have 26 games remaining after the break. To be able to start the season this well against a team that is, in my opinion, among the best in the West, the best defense in the league, and extremely talented players who play hard, is a great start. They also play well, so it’s important to stay focused, make shots, match their intensity, and perform well in the closing minutes. We want to go to Philly on Sunday and play well enough to build on this victory. We have another game against them. Ultimately however, it’s a useful technique to establish the mood. We discussed just this topic before the break: instead of just talking about it, we need to act on it. I’m glad we spoke about it today.
With 28, Edwards led Minnesota, followed by Towns with 22 and 14 rebounds. Rudy Gobert finished the game with 12 points and 19 rebounds.
Malik Beasley leads the Bucks in a crucial third quarter.
It was expected that after Beasley had played the first half without a shot, Doc Rivers would design a plan to earn him his first opportunity of the second half, a crisp-looking three-pointer. For the most of the half, he was concentrating on defense, recording two thefts and three fouls while guarding Timberwolves standout Edwards. However, the Bucks only hit five three-pointers in the first twenty-four minutes of play.
Therefore, even if Beasley’s first effort was unsuccessful, it was evident that the club needed and desired more offensive production.
It was successful, as Beasley scored 14 points in the third quarter by going 5 for 11 with four made three-pointers. The Bucks defeated the Timberwolves 36–13 to turn a six-point halftime deficit into an 87–70 advantage entering the fourth quarter. He also got another steal.
Malik had zero attempts at halftime, according to players that you can tell whether the ball is going or not, according to Rivers. In the end, he had twelve. Two of those shots were awful, so I told him he probably should have just had ten, but that’s what got everyone going. Dame and Giannis are now on the open floor when you get it.
The Timberwolves pulled within a point in the fourth quarter, but the Bucks needed to hang on to their lead at all costs.
Regarding Beasley, Lillard said, “I didn’t really try to find him.” “I believe we simply began playing the proper way. When you play the right way, the ball goes where it should go a lot of the time. We knew there would be a mob, so we went after the paint. We were moving the ball and not making the extra pass in the first half, and they are very large and long.

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