Giannis and the Bucks set the tone for this new season!
This could be the poster for the next Eastern Conference Finals, but until June, it was the poster for the opening game of the NBA season. The defending champions Milwaukee Bucks hosted the title-favored Brooklyn Nets with their army of stars, and it was the Bucks who won 127-104. The Wisconsin players, who received their ring (the first in 50 years for the franchise) and saw the 2021 champion’s banner rise to the ceiling of the Fiserv Forum ahead of the meeting, largely outnumbered their opponents (Kyrie Irving deprived, sidelined of the group because not vaccinated against the coronavirus) and led from the second to the last minute. By the end of the first quarter, the Bucks were already leading 37-25. The Nets managed to come back to -5, but Milwaukee managed to regain the lead, eventually returning to the locker room with a score of 66-59. Brooklyn then never managed to close the seven-point gap, and Milwaukee rolled into the money-time to add to the bill and reach the 23-point gap. Building on the momentum of his huge last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo did not miss his debut, scoring 32 points (12 of 25 on shots), taking 14 rebounds and delivering 7 assists. Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton helped him a lot, with 20 points each. Opposite, Kevin Durant started his season well too, with 32 points (13 of 25 on shots), 11 rebounds and 4 assists. James Harden added 20 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Patty Mills 21 points with a perfect 3-point 7/7. On the other hand, apart from the Australian, the players of the bench showed little sign, with only 4 points in total. The two teams will have another big game to continue the season: Brooklyn goes to Philadelphia on Friday and Milwaukee in Miami on Thursday.
Shine bright like a diamond !!
💎: @JewelersMutual pic.twitter.com/LMHEo5nj6B
– Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 20, 2021
