Witnessing his crew getting blown out as early as the primary half, Doc Rivers admitted that he considered elevating the white flag already for the Milwaukee Bucks of their Friday evening duel towards the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The NBA Cup hangover hasn’t perished but, and the Bucks seemingly suffered in what could possibly be a scarcity of relaxation from their current profitable match run.
“I really contemplated not taking part in each [starters] within the second half, actually. I simply thought we have been flat, drained, no matter you need to name it,” Rivers mentioned within the aftermath of their 124-101 loss.
“It was a tricky turnaround. We knew that.”
After they outlasted the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to clinch the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup on Tuesday, the Bucks instantly returned to motion. Operating on fumes, they got here out depressing from begin to end towards the top-seeded Cavaliers in Cleveland.
Already lacking the presence of Damian Lillard as a result of calf pressure, Milwaukee had no solutions in Cleveland’s balanced assault. Giannis Antetokounmpo singlehandedly carried the Bucks with 33 factors, but it surely’s approach too inadequate because the Cavs paraded six gamers ending double-digit factors led by Donovan Michell’s 27.
The Cavaliers instantly got here out of the gates within the first half, dismantling the Bucks with their red-hot capturing. They constructed a 69-51 large margin on the break and by no means turned again once more to simply seal the win.
“I didn’t understand it, however I may see it,” Rivers responded if he anticipated that the Bucks would play poorly after their hectic schedule upon successful the NBA Cup. “I used to be hopeful that possibly we may shake it off. However it’s loads. As you mentioned the video games performed with plenty of emotion. You get on the airplane, you fly to Milwaukee for lower than 24 hours.
“It’s only a powerful one.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo himself referred to as it “bizarre” to right away get again to work with slightly relaxation after successful the NBA Cup, however the Bucks famous person provided no excuses.
“Normally once you maintain the trophy, that’s it. You’ll type of have an offseason, time to relaxation, time to be with your loved ones — which is bizarre upon lifting up a trophy after which coming again later. Like, you can not actually have a good time due to two days, you’re taking part in one of the best crew within the NBA,” he mentioned.
“It’s positively bizarre, however it’s what it’s. The season continues. Now we have greater than 50 video games in entrance of us. I simply acquired to maintain on bettering and carry on being wholesome.”
The grinding post-NBA Cup schedule continues for the Bucks as they’ll head again residence now to face the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
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