Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers took on each other on Tuesday night. Fans expected LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo to go at it. Except… That didn’t happen. Giannis took the night off battling an ankle injury he suffered on Sunday afternoon, and LeBron is on his load management game (PS: Why does the NBA think it’s a good idea to use the word ‘load’ when we all think of jizz?). Bucks were able to win without Giannis beating Los Angeles for the fifth straight time, 115-101. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez led the way.

Player of the Game: Khris Middleton – When Giannis goes out, we see Midds usually shine. Tuesday night was not any different. Middleton had himself a night with 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. He took control of this team. That’s not surprising to me in the slightest, and he keeps up his hot streak that started at the very end of the Philadelphia game. Middleton went 12-20 from the field with four made three-pointers. Los Angeles could not guard him as the Lakers continue to have issues with perimeter players.

Silver Star: Brook Lopez – I love me a revenge game. Even though Lopez had his first meeting with the Lakers, he continued to rub in their face about how dumb they were to re-sign him to a deal. Lopez made the Lakers pay tonight with 28 points and nine rebounds. He had five made threes. Lakers fans have to watch Lopez and wonder what could have been in LA? He would be the perfect type of center you want LeBron playing with.

Positive: Niko gets comfty in the starting role – Nikola Mirotic had his worst game as a Buck on Sunday. I thought he felt uncomfortable starting versus being the first player off the bench. He seemed fine on Tuesday with 23 points and six rebounds. That was his highest scoring output when playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. I’m still a fan of Tony Snell starting over Niko, but it appears Bud knows something that I do not.

Negative: Way too many turnovers – Bucks committed 17 turnovers last night. That’s uncharacteristically high for the NBA’s best team. Bucks were sloppy with the ball leading to a majority of those turnovers. March hasn’t been the best month of Milwaukee, and it’s evident that there’s a bit of feeling like ‘I just want it to the playoffs.’

Highlight of the Night: Brook Lopez uses his height to get a ball unstuck from the hoop.

Have no fear, Brook Lopez is here!! 😂#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/WJyaw8h0Rw

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 20, 2019

Next up: Bucks will play a back-to-back heading out to Cleveland. I’ll be curious if Giannis goes again tonight considering Cleveland is one of the worst teams in the NBA. Cavs have been better of late with Kevin Love back and Cedi Osman being a thing.