Game ID: 22300725
Milwaukee Bucks @ Phoenix Suns
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHX 22 26 31 35 114MIL 23 26 24 33 106
MIL @ PHX ScoutingMIL @ PHX 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.
PHX availability going into 1/29 · back-to-backOUT Watanabe missed 2 since 1/26, out tonight
OUT Bol missed 8 since 1/14, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 1/26 after 2, 26 min since (94% of 28)
BACK Goodwin back 1/24 after 2, 3 min since (22% of 14)
PHX availability going into 1/31 · 1 day's restOUT Watanabe missed 3 since 1/26, returns tonight: 1 min (10% of 13)
OUT Bol missed 9 since 1/14, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 1/26 after 2, 29 min since (102% of 28)
BACK Goodwin back 1/24 after 2, 3 min since (22% of 14)
PHX availability going into 2/02 · 1 day's restOUT Bol missed 10 since 1/14, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 1/26 after 2, 29 min since (105% of 28)
BACK Goodwin back 1/24 after 2, 2 min since (18% of 14)
BACK Watanabe back 1/24 after 5, 4 min since (33% of 13)
PHX availability going into 2/04 · 1 day's restOUT Bol missed 11 since 1/14, returns tonight: 16 min (145% of 11)
BACK Gordon back 1/26 after 2, 29 min since (104% of 28)
BACK Watanabe back 1/31 after 3, 1 min since (10% of 13)
PHX availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restBACK Watanabe back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (35% of 13)
BACK Bol back 2/04 after 11, 16 min since (145% of 11)
PHX availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restBACK Watanabe back 1/31 after 3, 3 min since (24% of 13)
BACK Bol back 2/04 after 11, 16 min since (152% of 11)
PHX availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restBACK Watanabe back 1/31 after 3, 3 min since (24% of 13)
BACK Bol back 2/04 after 11, 16 min since (146% of 11)
PHX availability going into 2/13 · 2 days' restBACK Bol back 2/04 after 11, 14 min since (130% of 11)
PHX availability going into 2/14 · back-to-backBACK Bol back 2/04 after 11, 12 min since (108% of 11)
MIL availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restBACK Payne back 1/24 after 2, 14 min since (94% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 1/27 after 4, 6 min since (50% of 12)
BACK Green back 1/24 after 2, 2 min since (23% of 11)
MIL availability going into 1/31 · 1 day's restBACK Payne back 1/24 after 2, 14 min since (92% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 1/27 after 4, 6 min since (50% of 12)
BACK Green back 1/24 after 2, 2 min since (23% of 11)
MIL availability going into 2/03 · 2 days' restOUT Beauchamp missed 2 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Green missed 2 since 1/29, returns tonight: 6 min (59% of 11)
OUT Jackson Jr. missed 2 since 1/29, out tonight
BACK Payne back 1/24 after 2, 13 min since (84% of 15)
MIL availability going into 2/04 · back-to-backOUT Beauchamp missed 3 since 1/29, returns tonight: 1 min (5% of 12)
OUT Jackson Jr. missed 3 since 1/29, returns tonight: 1 min (6% of 10)
BACK Green back 2/03 after 2, 6 min since (59% of 11)
NEW Middleton 28 to 35 min over the last 4
MIL availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restOUT Lopez missed 2 since 2/03, out tonight
BACK Beauchamp back 1/27 after 4, 3 min since (27% of 12)
BACK Green back 2/03 after 2, 14 min since (129% of 11)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 2/04 after 3, 1 min since (6% of 10)
NEW Middleton 28 to 34 min over the last 3
MIL availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Lopez missed 3 since 2/03, returns tonight: 26 min (84% of 31)
BACK Beauchamp back 2/04 after 3, 1 min since (5% of 12)
BACK Green back 2/03 after 2, 14 min since (125% of 11)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 2/04 after 3, 1 min since (6% of 10)
NEW Crowder 22 to 28 min over the last 5
MIL availability going into 2/09 · back-to-backOUT Lillard missed 2 since 2/06, returns tonight: 29 min (82% of 36)
BACK Lopez back 2/08 after 3, 26 min since (84% of 31)
BACK Beauchamp back 2/04 after 3, 3 min since (25% of 12)
BACK Green back 2/03 after 2, 16 min since (144% of 11)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 2/04 after 3, 9 min since (90% of 10)
NEW Portis 25 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Crowder 22 to 31 min over the last 5
MIL availability going into 2/12 · 2 days' restOUT Middleton missed 2 since 2/08, out tonight
BACK Lillard back 2/09 after 2, 29 min since (82% of 36)
BACK Lopez back 2/08 after 3, 26 min since (86% of 31)
BACK Beauchamp back 2/04 after 3, 5 min since (39% of 12)
BACK Green back 2/03 after 2, 16 min since (148% of 11)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 2/04 after 3, 10 min since (103% of 10)
NEW Crowder 22 to 34 min over the last 5
MIL availability going into 2/13 · back-to-backOUT Middleton missed 3 since 2/08, out tonight
BACK Lillard back 2/09 after 2, 26 min since (73% of 36)
BACK Lopez back 2/08 after 3, 27 min since (89% of 31)
BACK Beauchamp back 2/04 after 3, 5 min since (42% of 12)
BACK Jackson Jr. back 2/04 after 3, 9 min since (91% of 10)
NEW Crowder 22 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Green 11 to 18 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 116, shooting 56 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 25 and Durant at 24 a game. One day's rest. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 33 and Lillard at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Lopez (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-4 a night and Milwaukee minus-6 and the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 15 times a game to Milwaukee's 11. Call it Phoenix 121, Milwaukee 117, Milwaukee keeping it close.
1/29 @ MIA 118-105 — PHX notes
PHX won 118-105. PHX shot 49% (46 of 94) to MIA's 39%, 14 of 40 from three, and got to the line 17 times to MIA's 25. Gordon led with 23 (8 of 17, 5 of 12 from three); Booker added 22, Durant 20. The hinge was Q3, 38-25: a lead of 13 became 26. Eubanks was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
1/31 @ BKN 136-120 — PHX notes
PHX won 136-120. PHX shot 62% (49 of 79) to BKN's 50%, 14 of 28 from three, and went to the line 32 times to BKN's 13 — 24 points from the stripe to their 10. The glass went 42-27 for them. Durant led with 33 (10 of 16, 2 of 6 from three, 11 of 12 at the line); Nurkić added 28, Booker 22. The hinge was Q3, 42-26: a lead of 3 became 19. Durant was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
2/02 @ ATL 120-129 — PHX notes
PHX lost 120-129. PHX shot 53% (47 of 88) to ATL's 52%, 14 of 37 from three. PHX turned it over 16 times to ATL's 9. Durant led with 35 (14 of 24, 5 of 9 from three); Booker added 24, Beal 14. Q2 was theirs, 33-33, but the other 3 periods went 96-87 against them.
2/04 @ WAS 140-112 — PHX notes
PHX won 140-112. PHX shot 61% (54 of 88) to WAS's 49%, 11 of 25 from three, and went to the line 26 times to WAS's 17 — 21 points from the stripe to their 11. Beal led with 43 (16 of 21, 4 of 5 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Durant added 18, Nurkić 18. The hinge was Q1, 42-28: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 32. Allen was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
2/06 vs MIL 114-106 — PHX notes
PHX won 114-106. PHX shot 51% (44 of 87) to MIL's 43%, 8 of 28 from three. Booker led with 32 (12 of 21, 2 of 6 from three, 6 of 10 at the line); Durant added 28, Beal 25. The hinge was Q3, 31-24: PHX came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 6, and the lead reached 15. PHX trailed 48-49 at the half and won the second half 66-57. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
2/08 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 114, shooting 55 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 27 and Booker at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Sexton at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Hendricks (12 straight), Horton-Tucker (4 straight), Juzang (26 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 114 a night to Utah's 123. Call it Phoenix 123, Utah 115.
2/10 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Curry at 32 and Kuminga at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Paul (14 straight), Payton II (16 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 116, shooting 57 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Beal at 25 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-12 a night and Phoenix plus-1 and the arc, Phoenix at 41 percent from three to Golden State's 37. Call it Golden State 120, Phoenix 117, Phoenix keeping it close.
2/13 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 115, shooting 54 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 27 and Booker at 26 a game. 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 123, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Monk at 22 and Fox at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 115 a night to Sacramento's 123. Call it Phoenix 122, Sacramento 116.
2/14 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 114, shooting 54 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Booker at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ivey at 24 and Cunningham at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Stewart (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-9 a night and Phoenix minus-5. Call it Phoenix 122, Detroit 113.
1/29 @ DEN 107-113 — MIL notes
MIL lost 107-113. MIL shot 43% (36 of 84) to DEN's 48%, 16 of 40 from three. Antetokounmpo led with 29 (11 of 19, 6 of 11 at the line); Lopez added 19, Lillard 18. Q1 was theirs, 26-25, but the other 3 periods went 88-81 against them. They led by as many as 13. Portis's -14 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/31 @ POR 116-119 — MIL notes
MIL lost 116-119. MIL shot 49% (45 of 92) to POR's 53%, 13 of 45 from three, and went to the line 18 times to POR's 9 — 13 points from the stripe to their 9. Antetokounmpo led with 27 (10 of 16, 7 of 11 at the line); Lillard added 25, Middleton 21. Q4 was theirs, 25-23, the deficit cut from 5 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 96-91 against them.
2/03 @ DAL 129-117 — MIL notes
MIL won 129-117. MIL shot 57% (50 of 88) to DAL's 49%, 12 of 30 from three. MIL turned it over 11 times to DAL's 21. Antetokounmpo led with 48 (20 of 28, 2 of 5 from three, 6 of 10 at the line); Lillard added 30, Middleton 13. The hinge was Q2, 40-21: the deficit went from 24 to 5, and the lead reached 15. MIL trailed 60-65 at the half and won the second half 69-52. Beasley was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
2/04 @ UTA 108-123 — MIL notes
MIL lost 108-123. MIL shot 46% (39 of 84) to UTA's 48%, 15 of 41 from three. MIL turned it over 11 times to UTA's 16. The glass went 32-52 against them. Antetokounmpo led with 33 (11 of 15, 11 of 15 at the line); Portis added 27, Beasley 16. Q2 was theirs, 37-21, turning a 6-point deficit into a 10-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 102-71 against them. They led by as many as 19. Lillard's -21 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/06 @ PHX 106-114 — MIL notes
MIL lost 106-114. MIL shot 43% (39 of 90) to PHX's 51%, 13 of 40 from three. Antetokounmpo led with 34 (13 of 24, 1 of 3 from three, 7 of 13 at the line); Beasley added 22, Connaughton 12. Q1 was theirs, 23-22, but the other 3 periods went 92-83 against them. Connaughton's -15 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/08 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 34 and Lillard at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Lopez (3 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 103, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 26 and Towns at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-6 a night and Milwaukee minus-8 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 103 a night to Milwaukee's 117. Call it Minnesota 115, Milwaukee 113, Milwaukee keeping it close.
2/09 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 32 and Lillard at 22 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Lillard (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Bridges at 29 and Miller at 27 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Milwaukee 120, Charlotte 114.
2/12 vs DEN — 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 114 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 29 and Lillard at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Middleton (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 18 a game. Without Caldwell-Pope (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-2 a night and Milwaukee minus-7 and the line, where Milwaukee takes 23 free throws a game to Denver's 17. Call it Milwaukee 116, Denver 113, Denver keeping it close.
2/13 vs MIA — 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 110 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 27 and Lillard at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Middleton (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Butler III at 21 and Herro at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been plus-4 a night and Milwaukee minus-5 and the arc, Milwaukee at 38 percent from three to Miami's 30. Call it Milwaukee 113, Miami 112, Miami keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
MILAG A. Green
BP B. Portis
CP C. Payne
GA G. Antetokounmpo
JC J. Crowder
KM K. Middleton
MB M. Beasley
PC P. Connaughton
RL R. Lopez
PHXBB B. Beal
BB B. Bol
DB D. Booker
DE D. Eubanks
EG E. Gordon
GA G. Allen
JG J. Goodwin
JN J. Nurkić
KD K. Durant
NU Nurkic
MIL/PHX 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
Booker scores 32, Durant adds 28, Suns push past short-handed Bucks 114-106
PHOENIX -- — Kevin Durant sized up the Milwaukee Bucks defense and then attacked, driving straight down the lane for a thunderous dunk over Giannis Antetokounmpo .
The 35-year-old — who just made his 14th All-Star team — looks like he might make 14 more the way he's playing these days.
“When it's time to attack the rim,” said Phoenix Suns coach Frank Vogel, “he tears that thing down.”
Devin Booker scored 32 points, Durant added 28 with a big fourth quarter and the Suns beat the short-handed Bucks 114-106 on Tuesday night.
The Suns took a 79-73 lead into the fourth quarter and didn’t trail again. Durant threw down his thunderous dunk — while being fouled — and hit the free throw to push Phoenix ahead 93-80 with 8:51 left.
“They just forget me for a split-second, then I'm in the middle of the paint, and it's on me to finish,” Durant said. “I'm glad I didn't pull up for a floater or a mid-range.”
It was part of a big final quarter for Durant, who hit five straight shots and had 14 points. After a difficult, injury-filled first half of the season, the Suns have an 11-3 record since Jan. 11.
The Bucks played without star guard Damian Lillard , who missed the game with a sprained ankle, and starting center Brook Lopez , who was out for personal reasons. Milwaukee also played most of the night without forward Khris Middleton , who left in the first quarter with a sprained ankle.
Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds. Malik Beasley added 22 points.
“I thought we fought — hung in there,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “You knew at some point, you just felt at some point, we wouldn't have enough offense on the floor and that's probably what happened.
"I thought defensively we were really good tonight.”
The Bucks fell to 1-4 since hiring Rivers, who replaced the fired Adrian Griffin, but Antetokounmpo said he believes the team is making progress, particularly on the defensive end.
“We've got to keep getting better, keep watching film,” Antetokounmpo said. “Now we have to work twice as hard. If we're willing to do that we'll be OK.”
The Suns, who were playing their first game since a 4-3 road trip, won despite shooting just 8 of 28 (29%) on 3-pointers. Bradley Beal added 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Booker — who was recently named to his fourth All-Star team — shot 12 of 21 from the field. Jusuf Nurkic had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Milwaukee took a 49-48 halftime lead despite shooting just 38% from the field.
Middleton twisted his ankle when landing on Durant’s foot after he attempted a jumper. Durant was called for a foul and it was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 after officials judged that the Suns forward didn’t give Middleton space to land.
The 32-year-old, who is a three-time All-Star, scored six points in eight minutes before the injury. Rivers said X-rays were negative.