With only eleven games remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers began a six-game road journey against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. If they wish to climb the standings, the time is now or never.
LeBron James was sidelined against the Bucks for the second time in the last two weeks due to a persistent ankle injury. The Lakers defeated the Bucks in Los Angeles without James, and they did so once more in Milwaukee by staging an extraordinary return to win 128-124 in double overtime.
The Bucks held a 12-2 advantage after Giannis Antetokounmpo helped his team get off to a quick start with seven early points while the Lakers labored offensively.
The Lakers responded with a second goal by Rui Hachimura following a timeout; however, they continued to struggle offensively as the Bucks extended their lead.
Anthony Davis eventually provided the Los Angeles Clippers with some much-needed goals, including a monster putback dunk that tied the game at the buzzer. Despite this, the Lakers trailed 32-16 after one quarter stood.
As the Lakers began to gain momentum offensively, Taurean Prince opened the second quarter with five fast points; however, Antetokounmpo responded with a three-point play.
However, D’Angelo Russell also began to improve as the Lakers continued to reduce their substantial deficit. They narrowed the deficit to six points before struggling to close out the half as Antetokounmpo dominated inside and Damian Lillard made a three-pointer to extend the Bucks’ lead to 58-42 at halftime.
Russell scored three triples in the third quarter as the Lakers reestablished some distance. The deficit was reduced to seven points after Reaves made a three-pointer, but former Laker Malik Beasley made a crucial three-pointer for the Bucks.
After another lethargic quarter-ending, the Lakers fell further behind as Antetokounmpo converted a putback to extend Milwaukee’s lead to 88-74.
As the fourth quarter commenced, the Bucks extended their lead further, while the Lakers appeared to be running out of steam. In an effort to score an additional run, Russell and Reaves each hit triples. A few costly turnovers were committed by Antetokounmpo, and Reaves converted those into layups to reduce the deficit to five.
However, following a timely timeout called by Doc Rivers, his squad tallied five consecutive points to regain the lead. However, the Lakers responded once more, battling back from a 10-point deficit to tie the game at 101 in the final minute.
The Lakers managed to survive a series of questionable decisions from the officials and force overtime with the score tied at 101.
Beasley opened the scoring in overtime with a corner triple, but Davis and Spencer Dinwiddie answered with consecutive three-pointers to give the Lakers their first lead. Beasley then tied the game in the final minute with another corner triple.
Hachimura extended the Lakers’ advantage with a well-executed baseline layup, but Lillard closed the gap with a corner triple with 13.6 seconds remaining. The Bucks had an opportunity to win on the buzzer following two free throws by Russell, but Lillard’s attempt was blocked by Davis to force the game into double overtime.
Both teams entered the second overtime with exhausted legs, as the score remained deadlocked entering the final forty seconds of play. At that moment, Reaves made an additional colossal three-pointer from Los Angeles, and Antetokounmpo failed to make two from the line.
At that juncture, the Bucks were compelled to commit fouls; Russell and Davis each completed a pair in order to force overtime and challenge the Bucks’ remarkable comeback.
