Milwaukee Bucks Fisher Preseason Form Turns to Regular-Season Momentum
In a late-December matchup that underscored the Milwaukee Bucks’ depth and resilience, Bobby Portis came off the bench to pour in 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting, helping lead Milwaukee to a 123-113 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 24 points and seven assists as the Bucks showed they could win even when the starting unit wasn’t firing at peak efficiency.
Portis Delivers Off the Bench
Portis provided a dynamic spark for Milwaukee, filling the box score with efficient scoring and physicality. His 25 points off the bench showcased his ability to impact a game without requiring an extended role in the starting lineup. The forward’s success underscored the Bucks’ depth, a factor that has kept them competitive through the grind of a demanding schedule. His performance also gave Milwaukee a reliable second unit option when the flow of the game demanded a different look against Charlotte’s lineup.
Giannis Lifts the Stars in Key Moments
While Portis provided the scoring punch from the second unit, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 24 points and seven assists were instrumental in preserving Milwaukee’s rhythm. The multi-faceted star connected on efficient finishes around the rim and created opportunities for teammates with his playmaking. Antetokounmpo’s balanced approach helped the Bucks sustain leads and weather lulls during the third and fourth quarters.
Team Chemistry and Defensive Efforts
The Bucks pulled away with a methodical offensive attack and steady defense, outrebounding the Hornets and exploiting mismatches as the game progressed. Milwaukee’s ball movement was crisp, with several timely passes leading to open looks for scorers not only in the starting five but also for reserve wings and bigs. On the defensive end, the Bucks challenged Charlotte’s ball handlers and forced a handful of turnovers, converting those opportunities into scoring runs that widened the gap in the middle quarters.
Charlotte’s Competitive Fight
The Hornets fought to stay in the game, matching pace with the Bucks’ offense and executing a solid shot profile for much of the night. While the final margin edged toward double digits, Charlotte showed hustle and resilience, with several players contributing on both ends of the floor. The effort illustrated a competitive core that could grow as the season unfolds, particularly if the team tightens its defensive rotations and gains consistency on the perimeter.
What This Win Says About Milwaukee’s Season Pace
Momentum matters in December, and Milwaukee’s win over Charlotte offered a reminder that the Bucks can win with different configurations. When Portis provides a scoring spark and Giannis anchors the operation, Milwaukee can ride a balanced attack through stretches where the outside shooting isn’t clicking at its best. The victory also emphasizes the importance of a reliable second unit that can maintain or accelerate the tempo in the middle minutes of a game.
Looking Ahead
As both teams move forward, Milwaukee will aim to build on this win by tightening late-game execution and further integrating its rotation. The Hornets, meanwhile, will want to translate competitive stretches into longer periods of control, especially on the defensive end where a few breakdowns kept them from pulling even closer late in the fourth quarter.
