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The Milwaukee Bucks secured a victory in Dallas over the Mavericks, largely due to the phenomenal performances of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Following the game, the Greek superstar shared insights about their offensive synergy in comparison to his previous partnership with Khris Middleton during his time in Milwaukee.
“We need to play off each other effectively. Ultimately, it’s crucial for us to recognize that we both pose significant threats. Defenses become anxious when Dame receives the ball on a handoff and launches a three-pointer. They are equally concerned when I set a screen and dive to the basket. We have the potential to create numerous scoring opportunities. We communicate constantly; sometimes our plays succeed, and sometimes they don’t, but we keep trying.
We’ve been honing this connection throughout the season, and in recent games, we’ve been able to finish strong. Is there another duo in the NBA that scores more proficiently than us right now? There seems to be a narrative out there suggesting that Dame and I aren’t compatible, but truly, no one is performing better together than we are at this moment. In competitive games against some of the league’s top teams this season, we’ve managed to secure victories, including winning the NBA Cup.
Naturally, we’ve encountered some bumps in the road during the season, but overall, we’re playing solid basketball. I have faith things will only get better as we continue. For example, my partnership with Khris spanned 12 years, which cultivated an incredible understanding between us. Interestingly, the bond I share with Dame at this stage in our second year together surpasses the connection I had with Khris at the same point.
We collaborate on the court, and we’re aware that we have to take charge as leaders of the team. While our skill sets differ, we recognize that to achieve victory, we must depend on one another. That’s our approach this year. We believe in each other and our teammates. With our experience, we understand the importance of striving for success. Our goal is to foster a winning mentality; all we want is to win,” Antetokounmpo stated.
In terms of total scoring among NBA players, Giannis and Lillard rank fifth among teammate duos, amassing a combined 2,695 points together. They trail behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams from the OKC Thunder (3,050), the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns (2,813), Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets (2,701), as well as the Boston Celtics’ tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (2,698).
