Bucks Roll Over Kings 116-98, Kidd Says Lonzo Ball May Be "Better" Than Him

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Sacramento, Calif. – At this stage of the season, Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger pretty much know what the drill is with teams vying for a playoff spot. The visiting Milwaukee Bucks made visibly known to the Kings at Golden 1 Center.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two steals in Milwaukee’s (36-35 overall, 16-19 road) 116-98 victory over the Kings. The win moved the Bucks into the sixth spot in the East Conference.

“We’re playing teams that are very focused,” Joerger said following the game. “Sometimes throughout the course of the season you’re going to get somebody that looks at our record and they are going to sleep on us. Right now, we’re playing teams that are focused in trying to get a seeding and fighting for playoff spots. This team (Milwaukee) is playing well right now.”

​Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo drives to the basket against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 22. Publicity Agents photo art by T. Ray Harvey.

The Kings were down by one point at the end of the first quarter, but the Bucks exploded for 44 points in the second quarter behind Antetokounmpo’s 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Milwaukee made 8-of-12 shots behind the arc in the second quarter.

Due to the Bucks’ low-key tempo on offense and grittiness on defense, the Kings never recovered from the second-quarter thumping, which they did score 26 points during the carnage.

“He’s a really good basketball player and he can do a lot of different things from the perimeter,” said Kings forward Skal Labissiere, who had the assignment of guard the “Greek Freak.” “It was good learning experience. It was my first time, I think, actually guarding him. I think Matt (Dellavedova) was setting screens from him and that was the first time I ever seen that. The Bucks have a unique style of play.”

Buddy Hield lead the Kings (27-44, 13-23 G1C) with 21 points, four rebonds, two assists, and one steal. Tyreke Evans had 18 points, three rebounds and two assists while Arron Afflalo and Garrett Temple each had 12 points. Sacramento has lost 10 of its last 12 games.

Greg Monroe added 15 points, five rebounds, and one assists off the bench for Milwaukee. Khris Middleton and Mirza Teletovic each had 13 points. Rookie Malcolm Brogdon finished with 12 points and four assists. The Bucks led 69-50 at the break.

“We got stops, we ran, and we go easy buckets,” said Bucks head coach Jason Kidd. “Once that started to happen I thought our guys started sharing the ball and we started making 3s. But it all starts with our defense.”

The Bucks were in high spirits in the second half and the Kings were aware of it, too. The Kings veterans took offense of Milwaukee’s young players having too much of good time.

“The Bucks had a lot of antics over there, coming from their side, and in our gym,” said Darren Collison, who had 10 points and seven assists for the Kings. “We gotta take that personal. That’s something that can't happen. You can't do that in our building and I was not happy about that.”

By T. Ray Harvey | PA Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist

Twitter: Tony Ray Harvey @PublicityAgents

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Milwaukee Coach Kidd Shares His Thoughts About UCLA’s Lonzo Ball and The Comparison of their Style of Play

“I’ve only seeing playing a half and it was UCLA against Arizona. His demeanor on the court for that half, his tempo is not fast and he’s always under the control. He knows how to play the game. He’s a passer first and he competes. So, the short time that I saw him play I see that he plays at a high level, he loves to play, and his teams win. That’s a nice comparison, but he might be better (than men.”

Brogdon Raises Eyebrows With Rookie Play

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Malcolm Brogdon has been an unexpected gem on many levels for his team. He is almost sure to be on the NBA’s All-Rookie Team.

The 6-foot-5 rookie out of Virginia is averaging 10 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game for the Bucks in 26.2 minutes. He averaged 12.5 points game before facing the Sacramento Kings.

“Hopefully, at the end of the rookie race, he’s No. 1,” Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd said of Brogdon. “I hope he wins the award. He’s down everything we’ve asked him to do, start, come off the bench, and he loves the challenge of guarding the best offensive player. He understands how to run a team. We’re not surprised of what he’s doing. We just want him to be consistent.”

T. Ray (Antonio) Harvey is a Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist for Publicity Agents. Harvey is also the author of The HOMICIDAL HANDYMAN OF OAK PARK: MORRIS SOLOMON JR.