Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers took on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. The Lakers, 0-2 in the preseason, hoped to enter the win column on the road. Davis, who had an impressive game in the Lakers’ 118-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, looked to help his team win.
“AD” missed a handful of close-range shots in the first half. He had four points in the first quarter and anchored the Lakers’ defense. Davis’ block on Antetokounmpo with 8:40 in the first period momentarily silenced the pro-Bucks crowd.
AD’s block off the glass ignites the break and Hachimura throws it down 😤
LAL-MIL on NBA TV | #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/HcR28ijkVd
— NBA (@NBA) October 11, 2024
Davis continued to look for his shots in the second quarter. He ended the first 20 minutes of the game with six points on 3-for-10 shooting, including 0-for-2 from deep. The All-Star big man added six rebounds, two blocks, one steal and an assist.
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New Lakers coach JJ Redick limited AD in the third quarter, taking him out by the halfway point of the period. LA trailed 65-68 when Redick sent in D’Angelo Russell to relieve Davis.
Anthony Davis stats vs Milwaukee Bucks:
JJ Redick has given Anthony Davis the green light to shoot from deep
JJ Redick told reporters during the LA Lakers’ media day that his team would be embracing the 3-pointer more. Redick has given Anthony Davis the green light to shoot from deep as part of the strategy.
In Davis’ 25 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks, he shot four 3-pointers but missed all of them. Two of those attempts were from at least 27 feet. The big man has been cleared to launch a few feet from behind the arc when he is comfortable taking the shot.
Davis is now 2-for-8 from deep in two preseason games. For the entire 2023-24 campaign, he attempted 107 from long range in 76 games. Redick wants Davis not to shy away from such shots to keep defenses honest.