Damian Lillard Gets Monster Double-Double in Giannis Antetokounmpo?s Absence ? 3 Key Takeaways as ?Dame Time? Tries to Settle In With 2X MVP

Damian Lillard brought back ?Dame Time? against the Toronto Raptors in tonight?s game. Lillard went off for a monster double-double with 37 points and 13 assists to get the Milwaukee Bucks a win over the Raptors. Dame?s incredible performance came in the absence of his co-star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was ruled out due to a right calf strain. Tonight?s win has improved Milwaukee?s record to 7-4, and they are currently ranked 6th in the Eastern Conference standings.

Here are 3-key takeaways from Milwaukee?s win against the Raptors as Damian Lillard tries to settle in with 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

1. Damian Lillard finds his groove without Giannis Antetokounmpo

Damian Lillard returned in the last game against the Chicago Bulls after missing two straight games due to a minor injury. But Dame did not perform up to his standards against the Bulls and only scored 12 points in that game. Meanwhile, Giannis dominated Zach LaVine and Co. with his 35 points and 11 rebounds performance. Dame found his groove tonight in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He took the scoring responsibility on his shoulders and led the game with 37 points and 13 assists. That is a huge leap from his performance in the last game. Lillard is averaging 22.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season, which is his lowest scoring average since the 2014-15 season. He needs to perform like he did tonight on a consistent basis for the Bucks to succeed in the long run.

2. Damian Lillard needs more time to get used to playing alongside a superstar

It is safe to say that Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most talented player that Damian Lillard has ever been teammates with. Before this season, Lillard had played with only one All-Star in his career, LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland. And that was before Lillard entered his prime. He is used to being the sole superstar in a team, and it will take him some time to get used to playing alongside a superstar like The Greek Freak. Dame?s struggle has been evident in his recent performances, as he has played his best basketball when Giannis is not on the court. Giannis also put up monster numbers when Lillard was out due to injury. The 2-time MVP scored a season-high 54 points against the Indiana Pacers in Dame?s absence. The Milwaukee Bucks are performing their best when only one of their superstars is on the court, and that needs to change fast. If the Bucks want to win a title this year, Giannis and Lillard need to figure out how to play alongside each other. They are both MVP-caliber players, and once they find their groove, it will be nearly impossible to stop them from winning a Championship.

Read More: Bucks Suffer Another Humiliation Without Damian Lillard ? 3 Key Takeaways From Giannis Antetokounmpo?s 2nd Straight Ruined Night

3. Milwaukee needs some defensive help in the backcourt

Milwaukee is one of the best offensive teams in the league, but they are severely shorthanded on defense. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. are currently ranked 25th in the league in defensive rating, which is not what is expected from a Championship-contending team. They are desperately missing the presence of veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who was their defensive anchor for many years. It will be very hard for Milwaukee to win another title with bad defense because their offense will take a hit during the playoffs when they face tougher opponents. Milwaukee might have to make some adjustments in the mid-season transfer window to get more defensive help in the backcourt. They have one of the best teams in the league, and if they make the right moves, they can lift the Larry O?Brien trophy at the end of this season.

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What do you make of Milwaukee’s superstar struggles? Will they figure out a rhythm that works for them?