Milwaukee’s frustration reached a boiling point Tuesday night when the Bucks were routed by the Minnesota Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum. Home spectators showered the team with boos, and Giannis Antetokounmpo answered in similar fashion, flashing a double thumbs-down gesture and audibly booing while seated beneath the basket after an early third-quarter foul.
“Whenever I get booed, I boo back,” the two-time MVP said afterward. “I play basketball for my teammates, for myself and my family.” Antetokounmpo added that, after 13 seasons with the franchise, he does not believe his reactions should be scrutinized. The loss dropped Milwaukee to 17-23, keeping the club outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Walker Drawing Positive Reviews in Indiana
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle continued to highlight forward Jarace Walker’s development following Monday’s victory over the Boston Celtics. The third-year player logged 11 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench, earning praise for his physical approach at both ends of the floor.
“He’s playing with force,” Carlisle said. “He’s done a lot of good things defensively. He’s rebounding the ball, stepping into the right shots. As you progress in your career, reads become more obvious, and he’s making good decisions.”
Pistons Exploring Options With $14.3 M Exception
Detroit continues to evaluate how best to use a $14.3 million Traded Player Exception that runs through July 7. According to The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson, potential trade targets who could fit into the exception include Bobby Portis, Kelly Olynyk, Luke Kennard, Sam Hauser and Max Christie. The Pistons must decide whether to deploy the exception before the NBA’s trade deadline or keep it available into the offseason.
Source: Hoops Wire
