Dellavedova impresses as Bucks win preseason finale
The Milwaukee Bucks did not solve their third-quarter blues.
But they kept working and finished the preseason on a positive note, using a strong fourth quarter to grab a 111-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova said it started with a better defensive effort led by a lineup that featured two big men – John Henson and Greg Monroe.
“We found out on the defensive end when things weren’t going well, that’s where it turned around,” Dellavedova said. “Moose (Monroe), Malcolm (Brogdon), John, they really turned the game defensively for us in the second half.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 20 points and added six rebounds and five assists, while Jabari Parker added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee (3-3).
Indiana coach Nate McMillan went deep into his bench with about 6 minutes left, after a dunk by Parker gave the Bucks a 93-91 lead.
BOX SCORE: Bucks 111, Pacers
At the same time Bucks coach Jason Kidd brought back Antetokounmpo and Dellavedova in an effort to finish the preseason on a high note.
Milwaukee led, 55-52, at halftime but the Pacers went on a 29-16 run to open the third quarter as they took a 10-point lead. But the Bucks cut their deficit to 85-82 at the end of the quarter.
“The third quarter, we gave up 33 points again,” Kidd said. “That’s something we’ve got to talk and get better at.
“The guys kept playing. As much as we gave up points, we also scored. It didn’t hurt us as bad as it has in the past.
“There were a lot of good things to end training camp. Now it’s for us to start preparing for the season and Charlotte.”
The Bucks will open the regular season at home Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Kidd was impressed with the play of Dellavedova, who had nine points and seven assists in 25 minutes while going 4 for 4 from the field. Dellavedova assisted on the Bucks' first three baskets, including a lob to Parker for a cutting dunk and an alley-oop to Miles Plumlee.
“He understands how to play the game,” Kidd said. “He’s played with some of the best players in the world and won a championship (with Cleveland).
“Everybody might overlook him, but as a point guard for Australia this summer he got to the basket and found his teammates. That’s something we can count on, having another playmaker out on the floor with Giannis and Jabari.”
Dellavedova admits he will benefit from playing with Antetokounmpo because defenses will have to react to his penetrating drives to the basket.
“It’s good because the defenses move and they’re not set and ready the way they would be if you’re coming off a straight pick-and-roll in the middle,” Dellavedova said. “I think Giannis and I are combining well and learning how we’re going to fit together.”
Paul George led the Pacers (3-3) with 18 points and center Myles Turner had 16 points and nine rebounds. Turner had his way with the Bucks interior defenders as he made 7 of 14 shots in just 26 minutes.
Brogdon led the Bucks reserves with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in 23 minutes, and Henson added 10 points.
“I think the main thing we need work on is defensive transition,” Dellavedova said. “And we have to keep working on our offensive execution.
“We’ve been practicing pretty hard. Now we’ll make sure we freshen up and be ready to go.”
Bucks pick up option: The Bucks picked up the fourth-year option on Parker’s rookie-scale contract.
The 21-year-old Parker was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft and will be owed about $6.8 million in the fourth year of the deal. He will make about $5.4 million this season.
The Chicago native will be eligible for a contract extension prior to the 2017-'18 season, just as Antetokounmpo was this fall. Antetokounmpo signed a four-year, $100 million deal.