Thon Maker

Bucks add key offensive weapon before trade deadline

February 7, 2019 By Bill Scott

It turns out the deal that sent Thon Maker to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday had more to it. In the deal, Detroit sent 22-year-old forward Stanley Johnson to the Bucks, but Milwaukee turned out to be just a resting spot for Johnson. Today, the deal turned into a three team deal with the New Orleans Pelicans a part of the equation as well.

Johnson was sent to New Orleans, along with Bucks center Jason Smith and four second-round picks for 6’10 sharpshooting big man Nikola Mirotic. The deal couldn’t be finished until today (Thursday) because Smith couldn’t be traded until then by NBA trade rules.

Mirotic will be a free agent at the end of the season, which means this may be his only year in Milwaukee, but it gives the Bucks a player that they can use to make a strong push for a NBA title. [Read more…]

Report: Bucks sending Maker to Pistons

February 6, 2019 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly agreed to trade forward Thon Maker to the Detroit Pistons for Stanley Johnson, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Maker, through his agent, requested a trade back in January, citing a lack of playing time with the Bucks. Since making that request, Maker was banished to the teams bench and hasn’t played. In 35 games this season, Maker is averaging 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds a game.

The 22-year-old Johnson is in his fourth season after being picked by Detroit 8th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. He played one year at Arizona before entering the draft.

As a pro, Johnson has shot 29% from three-point range over his career, averaging 7.1 points a game. In 48 games this season, Johnson is averaging 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

The deal will give Maker an opportunity for the playing time he wasn’t getting in Milwaukee.

Bucks close home stand with a victory

January 8, 2019 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks used a 31-point fourth quarter to pull away for a 114-102 win over the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum on Monday night.

The Bucks (28-11) held the Jazz to 40 points in the second half and 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Utah led 62-58 at the half, shooting 53.5 percent from the field (23 of 43). They increased their lead to 11 points early in the second half. That’s when the Bucks started to chip away.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points to lead the way. Malcolm Brogdon added 21, but it was Thon Maker that gave the Bucks the biggest boost off the bench, scoring 15 points and pulling down five rebounds. Maker saw his minutes go up after D.J. Wilson missed the game with a hip pointer. He scored seven key points in the fourth quarter.

The Bucks still haven’t lost back-to-back games this season.

Milwaukee went 5-1 on their six-game home stand. Now, the Bucks will play 13 of their next 18 games on the road, leading up to the all-star break. It starts with a road game at Houston on Wednesday night.

Bucks Spread Christmas Cheer With Holiday Victory

December 26, 2018 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks managed to hit just six of their 32 three-point shots and missed 17-straight during one stretch. But their defense was solid and their work in the paint was more than enough to pull out a 109-95 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and added 14 rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks to help the Bucks play and win on Christmas Day for the first time since 1977.

The Bucks still haven’t lost back to back games. The win marked the 10th time this season that the Bucks have followed a loss with a victory.

The Bucks defense combined for 10 steals and seven blocked shots and challenged the Knicks shooting from beyond-the-arc. [Read more…]

Bucks pick up options on two players

October 31, 2018 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks picked up the fourth-year option on Thon Maker’s contract and the third-year option on D.J. Wilson’s deal yesterday. Maker will earn $3.6 million next season and Wilson will earn around $3 million.

Maker was the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft and has played in 131 games during his first two seasons with the Bucks. He’s averaged 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds and was a big part of the team’s playoff appearances.

After a slow start this year, Maker scored 11 points and pulled down seven rebounds in Monday’s win over the previously unbeaten Toronto Raptors.

Wilson was the 17th overall pick in the 2017 draft but has seen little time as a rookie last season. He’s been hampered by a hamstring injury during a preseason scrimmage and has not played yet this season.

Bucks remain unbeaten, beat Raptors without Giannis

October 30, 2018 By Bill Scott

With Giannis Antetokounmpo in the teams concussion protocol, the Milwaukee Bucks knocked off the Toronto Raptors 124-109 in a battle of the league’s final two unbeaten at Fiserv Forum on Monday night.

Ersan Ilyasova led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, one of seven Bucks to score in double figures on the night.

Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon added 17 points apiece. Khris Middleton, after a slow start, finished with 14 points and Donte DiVincenzo added a dozen and the Bucks tied their franchise record with 19 triples (19 of 45) for the game. Thon Makers minutes increased with Antetokounmpo sidelined. He finished with 11 points.

“I think we’ve got really good players,” Coach Mike Budenholzer said. “The roster here was in a great place. Great additions with Brook (Lopez) and Ersan that really are great players. You just kind of build it around those guys. Giannis, Khris, Eric, you go up and down, Malcolm, the players are always the key. Anyone that thinks something different is crazy.”

The Bucks are off until Thursday night when they put their 7-0 record up against the Celtics in Boston.

Bucks face playoff elimination after game 5 loss in Boston

April 25, 2018 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks return to the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Thursday night facing a must win in game six of their opening round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

Boston jumped out to an early lead and stayed their, pulling out a 92-87 win over the Bucks at TD Garden. The Celtics took a 3-2 lead in the series as each team has held serve on its home court. The Bucks are hoping to do the same on Thursday.

The Bucks problem was their cold shooting. They hit just 36.8% of their shots (32 of 87) from the field for the game and made just 27.3% of their three-pointers (9 of 33).

Khris Middleton scored 23 points to lead the Bucks, but Giannis Antetokounmpo took just 10 shots and was held to 16 points.

Jabari Parker added 17 points off the bench and Eric Bledsoe finished with 16 points (5 of 15 FG).

The Bucks made several runs in the second half to draw close, only to see the Celtics have an answer.

Al Horford led Boston with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Terry Rozier added 16 points and Jaylen Brown had 14. Boston also saw the return of Marcus Smart to their lineup. He had nine points, three blocks and a steal in his return.

Seldom used Shabazz Muhammad had 11 points in a four-minute spurt for the Bucks, but they got little from their remaining reserves. Thon Maker, Tony Snell and Matthew Dellavedova combined to score just two points on 1 of 12 shooting.

Bucks hoping for road victory in Boston tonight

April 24, 2018 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks look to become the first team in their series with the Boston Celtics to pick up a road victory when the two teams hook up tonight at TD Garden in Boston.

The Celtics won the first two games of the series in Boston. The Bucks returned the favor by winning twice in Milwaukee, including Sunday’s 104-102 win at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks will need to win at least one time in Boston to advance to the second round.

The Bucks got little from their bench in the first two games of the series in Boston, but rebounded to make significant contributions in Milwaukee. Two of the contributors in games three and four. Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker didn’t play in the opener and sparingly in game two. Both player helped improve the level of energy in the Bucks two home court wins.

Jabari Parker also made a big improvement in games three and four after seeing limited playing time in the first two games. Parker came out of the first two games complaining about his minutes, but to his credit, he sought the advice of family and friends, as well as former college coach Mike Krzyzewski. The message hit home because Parker combined to score 33 points during the last two games.

Milwaukee reserves outscored the Celtics reserves 81-49 in the two Bucks victories.

But its much easier to play well at home. Now the series is back in Boston for game 5 tonight. It is always more difficult, especially in the playoffs, to play well and win on the road. At home, the crowd helps energize the players. On the road, there’s no crowd that will help that process. The players will have to create and maintain that energy on their own. If the Bucks can do that, they’ll have a decent chance of becoming the first team in this series to win a road game.

Giannis scores 40, but Bucks end 3-game win streak

December 5, 2017 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks dug a big hole early and saw their three-game win streak come to an end, falling to the Boston Celtics 111-100 on Monday night at TD Garden in Boston.

The Bucks fell behind by 20 points, got to within seven but would get no closer.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 40 points on 14 of 24 shooting to lead the Bucks. He made 12 of 14 free throws. Khris Middleton added 19 and Eric Bledsoe 18 in the loss.

The Celtics shot 59.5% from the field and nine of 17 from three-point range in the first half.

The Bucks played most of the second half without a center in the lineup after John Henson and Thon Maker combined to go 0 for 10 with only four rebounds in nearly 30 minutes. That’s when the Bucks cut the lead to seven before running out of steam.

Kyrie Irving had 32 points to lead the Celtics.

The Bucks return to action Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Bucks outlast Suns in overtime

November 23, 2017 By Bill Scott

Playing shorthanded, the Milwaukee Bucks knocked off the Phoenix Suns 113-107 in overtime on Wednesday night, ending a two game losing streak.

The Bucks played without starters Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Henson, as well as reserves Mirza Teletovic and Matthew Dellavedova. Khris Middleton hit 14 of 26 from the field and finished with 40 points, while Eric Bledsoe returned to Phoenix and scored 30 points against his former team.

Thon Maker also added career highs of 16 points and eight rebounds.

DeAndre Liggins collected five of Milwaukee’s 16 steals on the night as the Suns turned it over 29 times. It was Liggins, who scored his first basket on a shot clock buzzer beating jumper in the overtime to give the Bucks the lead for good.

Former Bucks big man, Greg Monroe finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds against his old team.

The win was the fifth straight for the Bucks over the Suns and third straight in Phoenix. The Bucks are off until Saturday night when they take on the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.