Some people worried about this Atlanta game including yours truly. Why? Well, there’s a big game tonight with Toronto, and it would be very easy for the Milwaukee Bucks to let down here especially with how they’ve been playing lately. They could have been due for a loss. It just happens, you know? Shots don’t fall, team plays a little lazy and you lose a game you shouldn’t have. That said, this game was over halfway through the first quarter. Bucks embarrassed the Atlanta Hawks with a rousing 144-112.

Player of the Game: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Even though he only played 19 minutes yesterday, Giannis put together an amazing stat line. Giannis finished with 16 points, ten assists and eight rebounds. That’s incredible. That’s one of the more impressive games from Giannis this season considering he only played 19 minutes yesterday due it being a blowout plus a big game tonight. It’s the first time this season when Antetokounmpo’s assists outperformed his rebounds.

Silver Star: Pat Connaughton – You know what I love about Planet Pat? This guy did not really play for the last few weeks due to D.J. Wilson’s emergence among other things, but he steps up in this game with a great performance. Connaughton had nine points, seven assists and five rebounds. That’s an impressive performance for Connaughton for a player who hasn’t played much. Obviously any injury would hurt the Bucks but with guys like Connaughton to fill in, you feel a bit better.

Positive: No starter played over 25 minutes – This is the BEST case scenario for the Bucks. Milwaukee won the game and got to rest their premier players in what felt like preseason. That’s huge with a game against Toronto tonight in what figures to be a much closer, more competitive game. Connaughton was the only player who played over that 25 minute limit.

Negative: Hard to find one winning by 33 – You could be upset about the three’s not really being there, but their percentage went down due to Thon Maker and Connaughton missing a shit ton of threes when this game didn’t matter. Great performance by the Bucks. One of their best of the season.

Highlight of the night: Giannis stuffs John Collins – This is just mean.

🗣️Giannis says NO!!#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/qu7jbkay6G

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 5, 2019

Next up: Here we go. Another matchup with the Toronto Raptors. If the Bucks win this game, they will have the official tiebreaker with the Raptors for the rest of the season. Toronto would also be 1.5 games back from the best record. Raps will be without Kyle Lowry likely who is doubtful tonight’s game.

Charlie.