Bucks Show Frustration in Loss to Kings

Two nights after the Milwaukee Bucks had their best defensive game against the Detroit Pistons, it was anything but that against the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks lost by a final score of 129-118 and frustration was clearly shown later in the game with technical fouls, an ejection, and an altercation between players in the tunnel after the game.

The Kings got off to a hot start in the first quarter scoring a whopping 40 points by shooting 77% from the field. Rudy Gay was a big reason for that scoring 14 of his game-high 36 points in the quarter. The Kings did not slow down much from there, and were scoring with ease on the Bucks all night shooting 57% for the game.

“Rudy carried us offensively but I just thought the team showed improvement and the way we played together, the way we moved the ball, and found the open man so consistently,” said Kings Coach George Karl.

Bucks Coach Jason Kidd was not pleased after the game about the defensive effort from his team saying, “We gave them warm up jump shots, they got our temperature, saw that we didn’t want to play defense, and they took advantage of it… I think our age is the biggest problem. Not understanding what’s going to take place, not being able to read what’s going to happen.”

The Bucks hung with the Kings for the majority of the game with help from Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo both scoring 21 points. John Henson also contributed with 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Heading into the fourth quarter the Kings were up by a score of 96-92. However, that’s as close as the Bucks would get, as Gay could not be slowed down. After a basket by Gay with 5:48 to go to put the Kings up by 11, frustration set in for the Bucks.

Michael Carter-Williams picked up a technical foul after missing a lay-up that he thought he was fouled on. And with 1:49 to go in the game and down by 11, Kidd was not happy with referee Zach Zarba, and slapped the ball out of Zarba’s hands. Kidd was then called with a technical foul and was ejected from the game while being restrained from his players and coaches.

“I tried to protect my guys. Understanding that we felt that we were getting fouled and the whistle wasn’t being blown. In this league, you’ve got to stand up for yourself, and my job is to protect those young guys as much as we felt we were getting fouled,” said Kidd on his ejection.

After the game, sources indicated there was jawing between the two
teams in the tunnel and hallway. Security and police were all over the halls, and Bucks player O.J. Mayo was escorted by Bucks players to his car. Many Bucks players left the arena before the media was allowed in the locker room. Kidd said, “I was having a coke and eating some popcorn. I was sent in early. I don’t know what happened.”

Bucks’ Jerryd Bayless downplayed the situation by saying, “It’s basketball. It happens. You move on.”

The Bucks will be off on Thursday for Thanksgiving, but will then take off for a two-game road trip to play Orlando on Friday (11/27) and Charlotte on Sunday (11/29).