It’s been a painful start for Doc Rivers as Head Coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. He took over for Adrian Griffin just as the Bucks embarked on a five game road trip that finished up in Phoenix Tuesday night. The Suns set down the Bucks 114-106 as their big three of Devin Booker (32 points), Kevin Durant (28) and Bradley Beal (25) combined for 82 points. Milwaukee was already without Brook Lopez who missed several games on the trip for personal reasons, along with Damian Lillard who sat out with ankle soreness and 8 minutes into the game, Khris Middleton hobbled off the floor. After taking a shot, he landed on Durant’s foot and rolled his ankle. Rivers said post-game x-rays were negative but Middleton was seen leaving the building with a pair of crutches. Rivers has had to utilize three different starting lineups during the five game trip. Giannis Antetokunmpo piled up 34 points with 10 rebounds and Malik Beasley picked up some of the scoring slack with 22 points. Rivers said without two starters and then losing Middleton, there just wasn’t enough offense to keep up. He did said the defensive effort has been coming along fine and once completely healthy, the team’s performance will pick up. Milwaukee now sits 33-18 on the year and they’ll come off the 10 day trip and Rivers will coach his first game at Fiserv Forum Thursday night when the Bucks host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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