OKC Thunder lose a heart breaker to Milwaukee Bucks – takeaways

In yet another close contest the OKC Thunder ends up on the losing side of a clutch time decision with the loss to the Bucks. Let’s look at takeaways from the match.

The OKC Thunder continue to play to their identity as a tough defensive club who never quits and can never be counted out of a match. Unfortunately, that mental determination and focus didn’t amount to a victory on this day.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks were the benefactors of this close win but it didn’t come without struggles. For the home side, they were playing the second game of a back-to-back and missing their starting center.

The takeaways from this match are a little different than normal given the contest offered some interesting events.

Biting and kicking for the win, takes on an entirely new meaning:

Thunder Nation is very familiar with someone who hates to lose. For years the fanbase got to witness Russell Westbrook put in ultimate effort on every play in every game. While the Brodie has moved on, this iteration of the OKC squad still has that mentality. In fact, Chris Paul also has a similar aggressive competitive nature.

Yet, the reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo could give Westbrook and Paul a run for their money. The Greek Freak hates to lose. He gets emotionally invested in games and sometimes it seeps off the hardwood.

Thus was the case in the game today as Giannis was caught biting and ripping his shirt in half after air balling his free throw.

During the break at the half, he also put his foot through an OKC Thunder sign. Notably, he has indicated he will pay for the damage as per ESPN.

"“You know, there’s no excuse there, and obviously I’ll try to pay for the sign, or I can trade you guys for the Bucks sign when you guys come to Milwaukee,” he said. “But there’s no excuse for that. But obviously, playing basketball is a lot of frustration and a lot of emotion, and obviously, moments like that happen.” –Antetokounmpo"

https://twitter.com/GabeIkard/status/1193696181542629376

Still, it gives the adage of going down biting and kicking for the victory a whole different meaning.

Steven Adams injury:

Shortly before the game the announcement was made Steven Adams would not be in the lineup due to the same knee contusion which held him out of two games this season.

Billy Donovan downplayed the severity of the situation as per Erik Horne’s tweet. Because the OKC Thunder also played Saturday it would be logical to assume the team wants to make sure Adams wasn’t pushed. The big Kiwi played the last three games but none were on consecutive nights.

Lucky duck or lucky Bucks?

For the OKC Thunder to make a run to cut the deficit and tie the game and then lose by a basket is tough. But, when the winning basket comes on what appeared to be an uncalled travel violation by Brook Lopez it’s quite disheartening.

These Bucks had a sweetheart road trip as it was. They played the Timberwolves while Karl-Anthony Towns was out serving one of the games of his suspension. Kawhi Leonard sat the first game of the Clippers back-to-back versus the Bucks, and they played OKC without Steven Adams plus got away with the no-call.

The only team Milwaukee faced without a key frontcourt big man out was the Utah Jazz which consequently was the one game they lost on the trip.

It also takes away from the magical bucket Danilo Gallinari hit to tie the game.

Mike Muscala CAN shoot:

It’s been an ongoing shade show here at T.I. (raises hand) toward Mike Muscala who was brought in to offer perimeter shooting. Muscala began his OKC Thunder tenure shooting 1 of 19 from deep or 5 percent.

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At long last, the fanbase is getting to witness why Sam Presti flew to Minnesota to lock down the sniper at the start of the Moratorium in the last two matches.

On Saturday versus the Warriors, Muscala finally found the bottom of the net to increase his perimeter total beyond a single successful attempt. He connected on three of his five attempts. The forward continued this success versus the Bucks scoring on four of his nine 3-point attempts.

Muscala was also effective defensively and contributed to rebounding and playmaking with three rebounds and three assists.

Up Next:

Although it wasn’t the ideal outcome it was a highly entertaining match that came down to one bucket and a two-point victory (121-119) for the Bucks.

The OKC Thunder get one day of rest prior to playing their third game in four nights as they travel to Indiana to play the Pacers who’ve rediscovered their identity this past week.