Stopping a pick-and-roll involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard is a herculean task for the opposing teams. Giannis and Dame can score a lot of points through the pick-and-roll plays, which also opens scoring opportunities for their teammates.
That’s exactly what happened when the Milwaukee Bucks topped the Philadelphia Sixers, 114-105, on Thursday night.
Giannis, Dame shared the wealth
In the win, Giannis scored 32 points, and Dame had 17. The two combined for 16 of Milwaukee’s 29 assists as they got their teammates involved in the come-from-behind win.
Brook Lopez was the beneficiary when the Sixers threw multiple defenders to stop Giannis and Dame.
“They draw so much attention, rightfully so," said Lopez, who went 5-of-10 from the three-point area and finished with 19 points.
With Giannis and Dame attracting multiple defenders, Lopez said he and his teammates have to be ready for those kick-out passes to make the defense pay.
“The gravity of that pick and roll. It pulls everyone in. You’ve just got to be ready on the weak side,” Lopez said.
Made the right plays down the stretch
The Bucks played sloppy in the first three quarters, trailing by as many as 12 points before getting their acts together in the fourth to escape with the win.
Damian said making the right plays when the defense collapses on Giannis and on him was the key to Milwaukee’s fourth-quarter surge. The Bucks outscored the Sixers in the fourth, 34-22
“And I think to start that fourth quarter, there's going to be a lot of attention on the ball with me, there's going to be a lot of attention when Giannis gets the ball, and Doc (Rivers) is just always on me about getting downhill, getting into the paint 'cause the defense is going to converge and just making the right plays,” said Lillard.
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