Game ID: 22300915
Milwaukee Bucks @ Los Angeles Lakers
Friday, March 8, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 27 40 29 27 123MIL 30 33 27 32 122
LAL vs MIL ScoutingLAL vs MIL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 2/29 · back-to-backOUT Vanderbilt missed 10 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 32 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 4 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 36)
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 20 min since (96% of 20)
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 12 min since (84% of 14)
LAL availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 11 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 33 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 5 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 12 min since (58% of 20)
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 11 min since (79% of 14)
LAL availability going into 3/04 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 12 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 34 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 6 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 14 min since (69% of 20)
LAL availability going into 3/06 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 13 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 35 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 7 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 14 min since (68% of 20)
LAL availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 14 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 36 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 8 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 14 min since (68% of 20)
LAL availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 15 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 37 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 9 since 2/22, out tonight
NEW Hachimura 27 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/13 · 2 days' restOUT Vanderbilt missed 16 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 38 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 10 since 2/22, out tonight
LAL availability going into 3/16 · 2 days' restOUT Reddish missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 17 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 39 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 11 since 2/22, out tonight
LAL availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 18 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 40 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 12 since 2/22, out tonight
MIL availability going into 2/29 · 1 day's restOUT Middleton missed 8 since 2/08, out tonight
BACK Beauchamp back 2/25 after 2, 6 min since (54% of 12)
MIL availability going into 3/01 · back-to-backOUT Middleton missed 9 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Jackson Jr. missed 2 since 2/27, returns tonight: 2 min (17% of 10)
BACK Beauchamp back 2/25 after 2, 5 min since (45% of 12)
MIL availability going into 3/04 · 2 days' restOUT Middleton missed 10 since 2/08, out tonight
BACK Beauchamp back 2/25 after 2, 4 min since (36% of 12)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 3/01 after 2, 2 min since (17% of 10)
MIL availability going into 3/06 · 1 day's restOUT Middleton missed 11 since 2/08, out tonight
BACK Beauchamp back 2/25 after 2, 4 min since (36% of 12)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 3/01 after 2, 2 min since (17% of 10)
MIL availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Middleton missed 12 since 2/08, out tonight
BACK Jackson Jr. back 3/01 after 2, 3 min since (29% of 10)
MIL availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Middleton missed 13 since 2/08, out tonight
BACK Jackson Jr. back 3/01 after 2, 3 min since (29% of 10)
MIL availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Middleton missed 14 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Beauchamp missed 2 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Green missed 2 since 3/08, returns tonight: 17 min (155% of 11)
OUT Jackson Jr. missed 2 since 3/08, returns tonight: 7 min (65% of 10)
MIL availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Middleton missed 15 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Beauchamp missed 3 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK Green back 3/12 after 2, 17 min since (155% of 11)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 3/12 after 2, 7 min since (65% of 10)
MIL availability going into 3/17 · 2 days' restOUT Middleton missed 16 since 2/08, returns tonight: 26 min (91% of 28)
OUT Beauchamp missed 4 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK Green back 3/12 after 2, 23 min since (205% of 11)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 3/12 after 2, 7 min since (65% of 10)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 19 free throws a game; James at 28 and Davis at 23 a game. Without Vanderbilt (14 straight), Vincent (36 straight), Wood (8 straight). One day's rest. Milwaukee comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 102, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 29 and Lillard at 23 a game. Without Middleton (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Milwaukee allowing 102 a night to the Lakers' 120 and the arc, the Lakers at 42 percent from three to Milwaukee's 36. Call it Milwaukee 116, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
2/29 vs WAS 134-131 — LAL notes
LAL won 134-131 in 1 overtime. LAL shot 52% (53 of 101) to WAS's 51%, 8 of 23 from three, and went to the line 24 times to WAS's 12 — 20 points from the stripe to their 10. A. Davis led with 40 (14 of 22, 12 of 13 at the line); James added 31, Russell 22. The hinge was Q2, 39-35: LAL came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 1.
3/02 vs DEN 114-124 — LAL notes
LAL lost 114-124. LAL shot 53% (47 of 89) to DEN's 59%, 12 of 29 from three. The glass went 31-47 against them. James led with 26 (12 of 20, 2 of 5 from three); Hachimura added 23, Reaves 19. Q1 was theirs, 33-27, but the other 3 periods went 97-81 against them. They led by as many as 11. Hachimura's -13 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/04 vs OKC 116-104 — LAL notes
LAL won 116-104. LAL shot 51% (41 of 80) to OKC's 39%, 16 of 34 from three, and went to the line 25 times to OKC's 16 — 18 points from the stripe to their 15. LAL turned it over 20 times to OKC's 10, and OKC turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 55-38 for them. Russell led with 26 (9 of 17, 5 of 11 from three); Davis added 24, James 19. The hinge was Q2, 27-18: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 25. Dinwiddie was the night's best plus/minus at +35.
3/06 vs SAC 120-130 — LAL notes
LAL lost 120-130. LAL shot 52% (42 of 81) to SAC's 56%, 15 of 32 from three, and went to the line 25 times to SAC's 12 — 21 points from the stripe to their 10. The glass went 34-46 against them. James led with 31 (10 of 16, 1 of 4 from three, 10 of 10 at the line); Hachimura added 29, Reaves 18. Q1 was theirs, 37-28, but the other 3 periods went 102-83 against them. They led by as many as 19. Prince's -17 in 15 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/08 vs MIL 123-122 — LAL notes
LAL won 123-122. LAL shot 52% (47 of 90) to MIL's 49%, 16 of 34 from three. Russell led with 44 (17 of 25, 9 of 12 from three); Davis added 22, Reaves 18. The hinge was Q2, 40-33: LAL came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 4.
3/10 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 122, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 21 free throws a game; James at 27 and Russell at 24 a game. Without Vanderbilt (15 straight), Vincent (37 straight), Wood (9 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 23 and Towns at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Towns (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 44 percent from three to Minnesota's 32 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 110 a night to the Lakers' 122. Call it the Lakers 115, Minnesota 114, Minnesota keeping it close.
3/13 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 17 free throws a game; Fox at 29 and Sabonis at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 118, shooting 52 percent and 45 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 26 and Russell at 22 a game. Without Vanderbilt (16 straight), Vincent (38 straight), Wood (10 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 45 percent from three to Sacramento's 33 and the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-10 a night and the Lakers plus-0. Call it Sacramento 119, the Lakers 116, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/16 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 51 percent and 46 from three, 24 free throws a game; James at 24 and Davis at 22 a game. Without Reddish (2 straight), Vanderbilt (17 straight), Vincent (39 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Kuminga at 23 and Thompson at 18 a game. Without Curry (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 46 percent from three to Golden State's 37 and the defense, Golden State allowing 110 a night to the Lakers' 117. Call it the Lakers 117, Golden State 115, Golden State keeping it close.
3/18 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 122, shooting 51 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; James at 30 and Russell at 19 a game. Without Reddish (3 straight), Vanderbilt (18 straight), Vincent (40 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 106, shooting 44 percent and 43 from three, 17 free throws a game; Murray at 32 and Hunter at 16 a game. Without Young (11 straight), Okongwu (13 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, Atlanta allowing 106 a night to the Lakers' 122 and the line, where the Lakers take 23 free throws a game to Atlanta's 17. Call it the Lakers 118, Atlanta 114, Atlanta keeping it close.
2/29 @ CHA 111-99 — MIL notes
MIL won 111-99. MIL shot 45% (39 of 86) to CHA's 44%, 16 of 39 from three. MIL turned it over 7 times to CHA's 13. G. Antetokounmpo led with 24 (10 of 15); Beasley added 19, Lillard 17. The hinge was Q1, 35-25: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 25. Beasley was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/01 @ CHI 113-97 — MIL notes
MIL won 113-97. MIL shot 43% (37 of 86) to CHI's 42%, 15 of 46 from three, and went to the line 32 times to CHI's 16 — 24 points from the stripe to their 14. MIL turned it over 7 times to CHI's 12. Antetokounmpo led with 46 (16 of 22, 2 of 3 from three, 12 of 16 at the line); Lillard added 16, Beverley 14. The hinge was Q1, 33-24: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 25. Lopez was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/04 vs LAC 113-106 — MIL notes
MIL won 113-106. MIL shot 47% (37 of 78) to LAC's 44%, 15 of 38 from three. Lillard led with 41 (12 of 22, 4 of 9 from three, 13 of 13 at the line); Portis added 28, Beverley 12. The hinge was Q4, 40-25: MIL came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 7. MIL trailed 48-55 at the half and won the second half 65-51. Portis was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
3/06 @ GSW 90-125 — MIL notes
MIL lost 90-125. MIL shot 38% (34 of 89) to GSW's 56%, 11 of 39 from three, and went to the line 15 times to GSW's 7 — 11 points from the stripe to their 4. The glass went 36-50 against them. G. Antetokounmpo led with 23 (8 of 15, 1 of 3 from three, 6 of 9 at the line); Lillard added 20, Portis 20. Q3 was theirs, 23-15, the deficit cut from 20 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 110-67 against them. Portis's -24 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/08 @ LAL 122-123 — MIL notes
MIL lost 122-123. MIL shot 49% (46 of 93) to LAL's 52%, 16 of 41 from three. Antetokounmpo led with 34 (14 of 23, 1 of 3 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); Lillard added 28, Connaughton 17. Q4 was theirs, 32-27, the deficit cut from 6 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 96-90 against them. Beverley's -16 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/10 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Leonard at 24 and George at 22 a game. Without Westbrook (4 straight), Tucker (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 32 and Lillard at 24 a game. Without Middleton (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Clippers 115, Milwaukee 112, Milwaukee keeping it close.
3/12 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Fox at 29 and Monk at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 34 and Lillard at 28 a game. Without Middleton (14 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-9 a night and Milwaukee minus-1 and the arc, Milwaukee at 37 percent from three to Sacramento's 31. Call it Sacramento 118, Milwaukee 117, Milwaukee keeping it close.
3/14 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 30 and Lillard at 27 a game. Without Middleton (15 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 94 a night and allowing 102, shooting 41 percent and 31 from three, 18 free throws a game; Oubre Jr. at 22 and Reed at 13 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Embiid (19 straight), Melton (7 straight), Covington (33 straight). One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 102 a night to Milwaukee's 120 and the line, where Milwaukee takes 24 free throws a game to Philadelphia's 18. Call it Milwaukee 112, Philadelphia 111, Philadelphia keeping it close.
3/17 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 31 and Lillard at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Middleton (16 straight). 2 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Durant at 30 and Booker at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Okogie (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-9 a night and Milwaukee minus-4 and the line, where Milwaukee takes 24 free throws a game to Phoenix's 17. Call it Phoenix 116, Milwaukee 115, Milwaukee keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
MILBL B. Lopez
BP B. Portis
DG D. Gallinari
DL D. Lillard
GA G. Antetokounmpo
JC J. Crowder
MB M. Beasley
PB P. Beverley
PC P. Connaughton
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
CR C. Reddish
DR D. Russell
JH J. Hayes
RH R. Hachimura
SD S. Dinwiddie
TP T. Prince
MIL/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
D'Angelo Russell scores 44 points in LeBron-less Lakers' stunning 123-122 win over Bucks
LOS ANGELES -- — D'Angelo Russell scored 21 of his season-high 44 points in the fourth quarter and hit a go-ahead jumper with 5.9 seconds to play, and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame LeBron James ' injury absence for a 123-122 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
Spencer Dinwiddie blocked Damian Lillard 's step-back jumper right before the buzzer to preserve a stirring win for the Lakers while James sat out to rest his sore left ankle, missing his ninth game of the season overall due to the persistent injury.
Los Angeles was carried by Russell, who tied his career high with nine 3-pointers while also handing out nine assists in a spectacular performance. He scored eight points in the final 1:13 while the Lakers rallied from a late deficit and improved to 5-4 without James.
“D-Lo just stepped up and won us the game, and obviously with Spence with the defense on that last possession,” said Austin Reaves , who scored 18 points for the Lakers. “Just seeing D-Lo take over the game, I constantly kept telling him in timeouts, ‘Take us home.’”
Russell again raised his offensive output when forced to play without James or Davis, shooting confidently while also distributing the ball effectively on offense. Russell was nearly as nonchalant afterward about his biggest game of the season, but he acknowledged that an NBA career including four trades and annual trade rumors swirling around him has honed his focus for tough situations.
“On the floor, I've always felt like I was capable of doing things, (and) getting hot makes it a little more exciting,” Russell said. “Off the floor, obviously you all know what I've been through. Public humiliation has done nothing but mold me into the killer that you all see today. I never lack confidence. I never fear confrontation. I want all the smoke. ... I just feel confident in what I bring to the basketball game, so whatever room I walk in, I'm confident.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for Milwaukee. Lillard scored eight of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, but the Bucks couldn't hang on in their second consecutive loss.
“It is a missed opportunity, but if we had won, that doesn’t change anything,” Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said. “We’re trying to go and get better. I thought we had the game in our hands, and we let it go. That happens, and it’ll happen again, and we’ll win some the other way, too.”
Milwaukee took its first lead since early in the second quarter on Antetokounmpo’s jumper with 2:53 to play. Lillard converted a four-point play two possessions later, but Russell trimmed the Bucks' lead to one point on a three-point play with 39 seconds left.
Lillard missed a tough layup to give the Lakers a chance, and Russell hit a leaning 13-footer with 5.9 seconds to play. Dinwiddie, who was making his first start for his hometown Lakers, then smothered Lillard's final shot.
Rivers cited the Bucks' fourth-quarter performance as reason for optimism, even if his team didn't finish.
“You want to win all these games, but that’s the stuff that we’re going to keep doing more and more until it becomes us,” Rivers said. “There was a stretch where Damian and Giannis were playing a two-man game, and it was unstoppable. We want to encourage that more and more.”
Antetokounmpo had his 43rd career triple-double, his eighth of the season and his first since Jan. 24. Pat Connaughton scored a season-high 17 points and hit a key 3-pointer down the stretch.
Anthony Davis had 22 points — just two in the fourth quarter while playing with a left shoulder injury — and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won 11 of 15 as they fight to gain any ground in the competitive Western Conference.
Davis said he couldn't move his shoulder after attempting to take a charge from Antetokounmpo. He will be evaluated Saturday.
James hobbled off the court with four minutes left in the Lakers’ loss to Sacramento on Wednesday night with the latest flare-up of an ankle injury that has bothered the leading scorer in NBA history throughout his 21st season.
Before the game, Rivers said Khris Middleton is “close” to returning from the sprained left ankle that has sidelined him for 13 games since Feb. 6.