Eric Bledsoe shines as Bucks clinch Playoff spot with win vs. the Lakers

Yash Matange

Eric Bledsoe shines as Bucks clinch Playoff spot with win vs. the Lakers image

The league's best team, the Milwaukee Bucks, went on a 15-2 run over the final 2:30 minutes of the game to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 131-120 and become the first team in the NBA to clinch a 2019 Playoff spot. 


Eric Bledsoe, who finished with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists on 12-of-24 shooting, scored six of those last 15 points to help the Bucks win their seventh straight game and the 13th of their past 14 games. 


MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 16 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks on 7-of-14 shooting. Five other players scored in double figures for the Bucks as they went 3-0 in this current road trip with games remaining in Utah and Phoenix. 

As a team, the Bucks shot 51.6% from the field and made 14 3-pointers on 35.0% shooting while recording an assist on 30 of their 48 field goal attempts. 

Meanwhile, the Lakers shot 47.9% from the field and 13 3-pointers on 32.5% shooting.

Forwards Brandon Ingram (13-of-21 shooting) and LeBron James (10 assists, 7 rebounds) both top-scored with 31 points apiece. Rajon Rondo registered a near triple-double with 20 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds as the Lakers dropped another crucial game, hurting their chances of making the Playoffs. 


 

The Lakers are now 3.5 games behind the eighth-seeded San Antonio Spurs. They'll travel to Phoenix to play the Suns on the second night of a back-to-back. 

Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo