We’re not going to lie to each other: it was the Main Event of the night. The Bucks, leaders of the League on the record with 22 wins for 9 defeats, went on the mop on the side of Brooklyn, at the Nets for their part launched on an incredible series of seven successes. Spoiler, this time Kevin Durant didn’t even need to check if the toes were over the line…
FOR THE HOME SCORE BOX, IT HAPPENS HERE
In a clash at the top between Bucks and Nets, you certainly wouldn’t expect to talk regarding… Nic Claxton, and yet that is exactly what we are going to do. The Nets pivot was perfect in the victory of his people 118 to 100 tonight, perfect on both sides of the field what’s more. Not only did the big man from Brooklyn do the trick to slow down Giannis in defense, but in attack his friend Claxton said to himself: “today call me Kareem”. You find that we make boxes of them for a season-high at 19 points ? Surely you haven’t seen his little left-hand hooks at four meters, absolutely beautiful. Nic even came close to the perfect sheet, but a missed putback at the start of the fourth forced him to settle for “only” a 9/10, accompanied by 8 rebounds, 5 caviars and 3 good interceptions. We are on a complete bread here.
Kyrie no-look lob to Claxton ????
(via @ActionNetworkHQ)pic.twitter.com/VEUx5sB9G4
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) December 24, 2022
Big game also for Ben Simmons! Still effective in all areas, the Boomer goes to two small triple-double assists (12 points, 11 rebonds, 8 passes, 3 interceptions). Very present defensively and intelligent in his offensive decisions, the Ben Simmons of the big days in short… With the two fanatics previously named, and the presence of KD to help in defense, the Greek Freak from Wisconsin might only take 13 shots. Well, big success all the same for the Greek, who finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Big offensive match from Brook Lopez also who supports his leader with 23 pawns, but the Bropez was not in his defensive standards on the other hand, and that was felt on the strength of Milwaukee’s racquet.
On the dock on the Bucks side, we find first of all Grayson Allen, implicated for abandonment of post (a ghostly match from the back), but also Jevon Carter for attempted vandalism on the Brooklyn signs (2/10 shooting including 0/6 from a distance) but also Giannis himself, accused of an aggravated loss of balls, coupled with an attempt at dirty play once morest Nic Claxton. Not jojo that sir, not the first time more…
Brooklyn therefore finally continues its series of victories and pushes the cursor to eight, returning by the same to a half-length of the Cavaliers who still occupy third place in the East. The Nets finally seem to find their rhythm, with an empty infirmary and a collective on the contrary well filled, so we can only hope that it lasts.