Doc Rivers, Lillard, and Giannis talk about the Bucks' win over the Mavericks
Doc Rivers, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo talk about the Bucks' win over the Mavericks on February 3, 2024.
SALT LAKE CITY – The Milwaukee Bucks (33-16) are looking to get a little revenge on the Utah Jazz (24-26) tonight at 7pm at Delta Center following the Jazz's win at Fiserv Forum on January 8.
Damian Lillard missed that game due to personal reasons with the Bucks.
Lillard scored a wonderful goal in the third quarter for the Bucks, who led 95-83 in the fourth quarter against the Jazz. Milwaukee scored 18 points off 14 Utah turnovers.
Milwaukee used a 14-0 run to run in the second quarter — which extended to a 19-2 run — to lead by as many as 19 in the second quarter before outscoring Utah 63-53 at the break. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 18 points in the first half.
Utah finished the first quarter on a 9-0 run to lead Milwaukee 32-26 after the first quarter. Collin Sexton scored 11 points for the Jazz, while Antetokounmpo scored eight points for the Bucks.
The Bucks won their first game under Doc Rivers on Saturday in Dallas and earned their spot as the Eastern Conference's All-Star coach. After a 15-4 stretch, the Jazz have lost three straight games.
more: Doc Rivers holds his first Milwaukee Bucks practice in Dallas: 'We've changed a lot'
Is Giannis playing?
Yes, but it was a possible decision during the game after the warm-up, due to right patellar tendinitis. It's a new injury label for the MVP candidate.
Khris Middleton excluded in favor of Pax
After playing a season-high 38 minutes, 29 seconds on Saturday against Dallas, the Bucks held out Khris Middleton for Sunday's game in Salt Lake City with a right knee injury.
It is the eighth match the 32-year-old will miss, seven of which were part of straight sets. He has played in back-to-back games just once, logging 15 minutes in the first half against San Antonio on January 4.
Middleton has not played 38 minutes in a regular-season game since March 4, 2022 at Chicago (38:45).
Brook Lopez remains out of action for personal reasons
The Bucks midfielder missed Saturday's game in Dallas, and also missed the game against the Jazz for personal reasons.
Pax injury report
- Khris Middleton out (management of right knee injury)
- Brook Lopez exits (for personal reasons)
- Damian Lillard, questionable (sprained left ankle) Lillard started, but it was a game-time decision after warmups.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, possible (right patellar tendonitis)
- Andre Jackson Jr., possible (right wrist sprain)
Bucks starting lineup
- guards: Beasley's owner, Damian Lillard
- Attackers: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jae Crowder
- center: Brook Lopez
Bucks hire assistant coach Pete Dominguez
Doc Rivers has added to his coaching staff since taking over on January 26. Dave Joerger and Rex Kalamian were at Rivers' introductory press conference on January 27, and Pete Dominguez was brought in shortly thereafter.
Dominguez worked with Rivers in Philadelphia and with the Los Angeles Clippers and Rivers said he was instrumental in building the video room at both places. Kalamian also helped coach the Armenian national team and coached Obras Sanitarias in Argentina.
Along with video duties, Rivers said Dominguez will help with player development, defense and “training coaches.”
“He's a very important guy to me,” Rivers said.
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”