Letter is absent! The Warriors lost unexpectedly, Rollins 32+8, Curry 27+6, Butler left the game frustrated

The Bucks defeated the Warriors 120-110 at home, improving their record to 4 wins and 1 loss, temporarily ranking third in the Eastern Conference, following the Bulls and 76ers. Since the start of the game, the Bucks have performed amazingly, far exceeding outside expectations. The Bulls and 76ers both missed the playoffs last season, but now they both lead with 4 wins and 0 losses, which is shocking. Although Embiid is on the verge of retirement, the 76ers have relied on the rise of VJ Edgecombe and the outbreak of Maxey to rebuild their competitiveness. After parting ways with Lillard, the Bucks completely rebuilt their system around Antetokounmpo, emphasizing a balanced style of play where everyone is involved.

The Bucks' introduction of Turner during the offseason was also a stroke of genius. The Pacer will be perfectly integrated into the Bucks system as a space center, who can not only open up the space, but also provide frame protection and rebounds in the interior. Facing the Warriors today, Turner repeatedly succeeded in strong kills in the paint, creating multiple mismatches and greatly constraining the opponent's defense. Even if Antetokounmpo is absent, the Bucks can still take the initiative in the interior, which shows Turner's profound impact on the team's structure. The biggest upset in this game was the Warriors' defeat - facing the Bucks without Antetokounmpo, they lost by 10 points. Before the game, Warriors fans may have had a hunch: If Antetokounmpo plays, the outcome will be unpredictable; the Bucks will be even more difficult to deal with if they are left behind, because the Warriors will underestimate the enemy.

It turns out that Antetokounmpo's absence frees up the firepower of other role players, especially Rollins. He scored 32 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists, becoming the biggest contributor to the Bucks' victory. Rollins' story is dramatic. He was selected by the Warriors in the second round in 2022, but was sent to the Wizards in the Poole trade, and later joined the Bucks. Facing his old team in this campaign, he started with full firepower. He scored 9 points in the first quarter. He was capable of shooting from inside and outside, and seemed to have the fire of revenge. The Bucks, led by Rollins, hit a 34-25 climax in the first quarter, setting the tone of the game. Moreover, in addition to Rollins and Turner's internal and external coordination, Anthony, the substitute, is also extremely brave.

In the second quarter, the Warriors finally woke up. Curry and Kuminga worked together, and Butler frequently made fouls, mid-range shots, and throws, narrowing the point difference to 2 points before halftime. The Bucks' bench firepower was slightly lacking, but the stable output of Rollins and Turner ensured the lead. Third quarter: The two sides fell into a tug-of-war, 27-26 in a single quarter, and the Bucks entered the final quarter with only a 3-point advantage. The Warriors' defensive intensity has increased, but the Bucks' multi-point offensive system is difficult to limit. Final quarter: The Bucks completely took over the game. Rollins "came down from heaven", AJ Green hit a key three-pointer, and Trent and Portis took turns to fire. The whole Bucks team has a hot shooting touch, and everyone can shoot. The Warriors were stunned, and the point difference quickly widened to more than 10 points.

Curry once reached 7 points with an unreasonable three-pointer at the end, but Rollins responded steadily with 2 points, completely ending the suspense. In addition to Rollins, Turner had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, and Cole Anthony had 16 points. The Warriors had 27 points and 6 rebounds, Kuminga had 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, and Butler had 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Warriors' defeat in this game was not a tactical mistake, but rather a sluggish and disorganized overall state. Cole's starting lineup - Curry, Butler, Kuminga, Post, Dream Green - has a balanced offense and defense. Horford was assigned as a substitute, paired with Bodemski, Hield and Moody, with the intention of speeding up the game through a small lineup. But the Bucks' collective outburst exceeded the Warriors' defensive plan.

Horford had a disastrous performance in this game. He only scored 3 points in the game and had a plus-minus value of -20. He became the key target of the Bucks. Cole tried to let Bodemski and Curry partner in the backcourt, and Dream Green guest-starred at center, but the effect was limited. The Warriors gradually lost their rhythm after the third quarter, and were completely defeated by the Bucks' more blossoming offense in the final quarter. The Warriors have seen significant ups and downs this season. They previously beat the Clippers by nearly 20 points, but lost to the Trail Blazers in an upset; today they overturned at the Bucks' home court. In contrast, the Thunder started with 6 consecutive victories, killing all opponents regardless of strength or weakness, and its stability ranks first in the league. If the Warriors want to return to the championship ranks, they need to solve the problem of state fluctuations and regain dominance in key games.

As for the Bucks' regular season prospects this season, they are optimistic. The addition of Turner has improved the inside line, and the rise of role players such as Rollins, Anthony, and Trent has made up for the impact of Lillard's departure. After Antetokounmpo returns, the Bucks are expected to hit the first place in the Eastern Conference. However, there are still concerns about competitiveness at the playoff level. Facing top teams such as the Thunder and Celtics, the Bucks are slightly lacking in tough battle experience and star players' singles abilities. The balanced play style of the regular season may not be sustainable in the high-intensity competition in the playoffs. The Thunder started with 6 consecutive victories, with no obvious shortcomings on both offense and defense. Alexander's organization and scoring, Holmgren's inside dominance, and the deep bench depth make the Thunder the most stable championship team in the league. Although teams such as the Warriors and Bucks have had explosive moments, their stability still lags behind the Thunder. The score of 120-110 may seem dull, but it actually reflects the current status and potential of the two teams.

Without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks relied on Rollins's explosion, Turner's inside containment and the team's multiple flourishes to complete a high-quality victory. The rising Bucks are gradually regaining their former championship competitiveness, and their dark horse potential in the regular season is beginning to show. The Warriors have exposed the hidden dangers of ups and downs in form and downturns in key players. Although Curry, Kuminga, and Butler had bright spots, Horford's slump and overall lack of passion made the Warriors have some twists and turns in the regular season. In the future, the Warriors need to make adjustments in stability and defensive strength to compete with strong teams such as the Thunder in the playoffs. For the Bucks, this victory is an important battle on the road to reconstruction; for the Warriors, this is just an episode in a long season. The real battle is in the playoffs.