Milwaukee squandered a commanding 19-point lead in the fourth quarter against LA.

The Milwaukee Bucks faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Tuesday night, initially appearing poised for a comfortable victory. At halftime, the Bucks held a 16-point lead, extending it to 19 points with just 8:25 remaining in the game. However, the Lakers mounted a remarkable comeback, ultimately clinching a 128-124 double-overtime victory.

Suffering defeat is always challenging, but relinquishing a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter amplifies the disappointment. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers attributed the team’s decline to a loss of intensity early in the third quarter.

Reflecting on the game, Doc Rivers remarked, “I thought it started in the beginning of the third. I just never thought we reached the intensity level that we had for the first half.

They got, what, four loose balls, four offensive rebounds in the first few minutes in the third quarter. You have a team down, I think it was 18 right? You have a chance to take that into the third and we didn’t do that. We took it from 18 to 10 coming right out of the door, and that gave them hope.”

Rivers emphasized the importance of trust in passing, highlighting the team’s tendency to opt for quick shots rather than strategic play. He acknowledged the loss as a valuable learning experience, underscoring the need for improved performance moving forward.

The final moments of the fourth quarter proved decisive, with the Bucks failing to score in the last three minutes despite holding a 101-91 lead with 3:26 remaining. This allowed the Lakers to complete their comeback and secure the win.

Damian Lillard, commenting on the loss, attributed it to missed opportunities, stating, “I thought we had a lot of good looks, we just missed shots tonight.”

The defeat dropped the Bucks’ record to 46-26, maintaining a two-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers for second place in the East. Conversely, the Lakers’ victory bolstered their position in the playoff race, extending their lead over the Golden State Warriors to 2.5 games.

The game also saw LeBron James playfully teasing Giannis Antetokounmpo for his prolonged free throw routine, a topic that has drawn attention in the past. Despite Antetokounmpo’s struggles from the line, the Lakers emerged victorious, propelled by a standout performance from Anthony Davis.

In summary, Milwaukee’s loss to the Lakers serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining intensity and strategic play throughout the game, as well as addressing individual weaknesses to remain competitive in the league.