In a dramatic finish at the Spectrum Center, the Milwaukee Bucks narrowly lost to the Charlotte Hornets 115-114. The game was marked by a controversial foul call against Giannis Antetokounmpo in the closing seconds, similar to a previous call against him in their recent game against the Detroit Pistons. LaMelo Ball capitalized from the charity stripe, hitting two free throws to seal the victory for the Hornets.
The Bucks’ forward Taurean Prince expressed frustration over the foul call, emphasizing that such moments should allow the players to dictate the outcome rather than relying on referee decisions. Head coach Doc Rivers echoed this sentiment, describing the last two games as marred by incorrect officiating. According to the NBA’s crew chief, Curtis Blair, a post-game review confirmed there was no illegal contact on the play that led to the foul call on Antetokounmpo.
Despite the disappointing loss, Antetokounmpo demonstrated resilience, showing confidence in his ability to take clutch shots, even though his final jumper rimmed out. He finished the game with a triple-double, highlighting his ability to impact various facets of play, with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists.
The Hornets improved to 5-7, while the Bucks fell to 4-9. This game also illustrated the Bucks’ areas for improvement, particularly in limiting second-chance points, as the Hornets scored 21 points off offensive rebounds.
Looking forward, the Bucks are set to begin a crucial homestand against the Houston Rockets, where they will have the opportunity to regroup and refine their game strategy. With players like Andre Jackson Jr. stepping up and Antetokounmpo’s consistent performance, there is potential for the team to improve in the coming matches.
In summary, while the loss was frustrating for the Bucks, it also served as a reminder of the importance of addressing smaller inconsistencies within their game rather than fixating solely on officiating errors. The team appears to be capable of stronger performances as they continue the season.