Milwaukee Bucks has had a whole week.
They had historical performances twice in three days and then collected from a seven-point deficit during the fourth quarter to beat the heat 121-115 at overtime in Miami on Saturday night.
Bucks (43-34) dressed a playoffs Saturday and moved into place # 5 in the Eastern Conference. They try to stay sharp as the mail season approaches after losing four straight matches before winning the last three.
They will try to continue rolling as they visit the lottery New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday evening.
“We have to win games,” said Milwaukee star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. “We dressed the playoffs and I’m happy with it. We’re in a good place. We just have to stay humble and stay at the point.”
Bucks shot a franchise best 68.9 percent from the floor on Tuesday and made 58.6 percent of its 3-points in a victory 133-123 over visiting Phoenix.
Two nights later in a victory 126-113 in Philadelphia, Antetokounmpo became the first player in the NBA story to have at least 35 points, 20 assists and 15 returns in the same game. He finished with 35, 20 and 17 respectively for Milwaukee, who shot 51.6 percent beyond the arch.
Things were more difficult Saturday but worked well.
Antetokounmpo did not duplicate his historical state line against the heat, but he was not so far away and ended with 36 points, 15 returns and 10 assists.
“His effort was fantastic,” said Bucks coach Doc Rivers on Antetokounmpo, but added, “It was a team gain.”
Bucks guard Damian Lillard (calf injury) has missed the last nine games, but Rivers is optimistic he will be able to return before the end of the season.
When it comes to Milwauke’s latest increase in Lillard’s absence, Rivers said: “I’m surprised at it, but I love it.”
The Pelicans (21-56) have lost five of their top players for seasonal injuries and traded other leading goal scores Brandon Ingram during the season.
New Orleans will play its third match in a row against a team on their way to the season.
The Peclians lost consecutive road games against Clippers (114-98 points) on Wednesday and Lakers (124-108) on Friday. Jose Alvarado had 17 points and 10 assists against Clippers and tied their season high with 27 points against the Lakers.
New Orleans coach Willie Green said that Alvarado “has done a good job of filling because guys are out,” but Alvarado is hesitant until Sunday due to calf. If he doesn’t play, New Orleans will be even more dependent on inexperienced players.
“You can’t write the experience they get on the floor,” Green said about the young players. “They take advantage of opportunities. I can see a steady improvement from all these guys across the line.
“You can see the improvement right in front of our eyes, and the key as we move forward with the last handful of games left is to continue to try to build on positives.”
Sunday’s game was scheduled to be played on January 22 but was postponed due to a rare snowstorm in New Orleans. Pelicans will visit Bucks on Thursday.
-Field level media
