The Milwaukee Bucks ended a two-game losing streak by ending 2024 on a high by beating the Indiana Pacers.
The NBA Cup 2024 champions defeated the Pacers 120-112 to round out the year, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the scoring with 30.
Giannis has been praised for his leadership, but sometimes, others players deserve some shine too, and head coach Doc Rivers picked out Gary Trent Jr’s contribution.
Gary Trent Jr scored 14 points from the bench for the Bucks, along with two rebounds and one assist. He also had two steals.
And it was at this end where Doc Rivers was most impressed, managing to do his part in limiting the Pacers’ scoring.
Rivers told his press conference that Trent Jr’s deflections were vital and really stood out, with Tyrese Haliburton restricted to only 12 points.
He said: “Gary was phenomenal defensively. You know, it’s funny, there’s certain stats that just always carry. You know, rebounds, if you get rebounds, you always are a good rebound. If you’re a guy to get deflections, you’re always a guy to get deflections, and I bet he had his hands on 10 balls today.
“It’s just, he’s magnificent doing it, and in zone. All you need to do is get fingertips and balls, just to take them out of the red room, I thought, Gary was fantastic.”
The Pacers took a dominant second quarter 36-23, and at one stage had a 19 point advantage early in the third.
Trent Jr told reporters after the game that the key to coming back was the Bucks simply managing to keep their focus.
He explained: “We didn’t point fingers we stayed locked in, talking to each other, motivating each other, what we see, what we need to do better.”
Asked about his ability to make deflections, as noted by Rivers, Trent Jr simply said he was trying to impact the game in any way he could.
He said: “It’s the defensively strategy we are trying to go with, no matter what’s going on, be active when I get in there.
“Whatever opportunity I get, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25, 30 whatever it is, try and contribute towards winning.”
The Bucks ended 2024 fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 17-14 record, having begun the season at 2-8.
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