Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe lead win against LeBron James and Lakers | Bleacher's report

Eric Bledsoe had 31 points and nine rebounds, a peak in the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Milwaukee closed the match with a 15-2 record on the last 2:25.

James Lebron contributed 31 points, 10 assists and seven tips for the 30-32 Lakers, who have lost seven of their last 10.

Brandon Ingram also scored 31 points on 13 out of 21 shots. He started the game by scoring his first nine goals.

The 48-14 Bucks have won seven straight and 19 of their last 21. With this victory, Milwaukee became the first team to eliminatory berth this season.

New, improved Ingram can push Lakers to playoffs

An All-Star in the second half does not exist, but if there was one, Ingram would quickly have a place for a spot in the team.

When entering on Friday, the 21-year-old forward had on average 27.8 points on 56.7 percent shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in his four post-All Star break matches. He also made 54.5% of his three points.

Ingram scored 12.2 points per game on 43.8% of the shots in the first two years of his career, respectable numbers but not very remarkable.

However, the 6 "9" ahead have been excellent lately, raising the question of where this improvement came from.

The first is obvious: he is a young and extremely talented player who has found another equipment. Ingram was only 18 when the Lakers named him second overall in 2016. Like any player, Ingram needs to develop his game as he gains experience.

Second, Ingram's rating has improved since his return from a sprained left ankle that has ruled him out of seven contests, as Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report notes:

Ingram averaged 19.7 points per game and shot 50.5 percent of the field since returning from December 21, compared to 15.2 points out of 47.0 percent.

Head coach Luke Walton pointed to a third reason after Ingram scored 23 points in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday:

"It is [scoring] more systematically, "said Walton Christian Rivas silver film and roll of SB Nation. "I think he's done a good job cleaning some of the pictures that we do not prefer that he takes, some of the isolation, some halfway pull-ups without moving." had two or three tonight, but for the most part, I think he's continued to grow as a player. "

In the third quarter of the TV show, Doris Burke, a color commentator for ESPN, said Ingram could be vaccinated at any time. The third-year professional proved this Friday night. He managed to take off effortlessly some rhythmic jumpers midway, buckets on the edge and three.

The fourth reason comes from Ingram himself after the aforementioned Pels game via Rivas:

"The closer I get to the rim, the higher my percentages, so I'm just trying to find a way to get to the rim, find a way to be aggressive and make a mistake or go overboard." the summit, "said Ingram. . "If I make a mistake, I'm confident I can reverse the free throws."

Ingram is right about its percentages. according to Basket-Reference, ex-duke Blue Devil shot 68.2% on the field at the entrance on Friday. He is 39.6% shot elsewhere.

All these reasons converged at a crucial moment, when Ingram placed the Bucks Brook Lopez center on a poster:

1. Warriors fans go wild after unforgettable moments with Steph

   

2. Eight years ago, the Nuggets traded Melo to the Knicks

   

3. Two years ago kings sent Boogie to pelicans

   

4. ASG will be competitive again if the NBA raises the stakes

   

5. Will Harden grill before play-offs?

   

6. When MJ was number 12 after the flight of his jersey before a game

   

7. 15 years ago, LeBron, Wade and Melo won on All-Star Weekend

   

8. 14 years ago, Iverson gave up his career with 60 points

   

9. Kyrie and LeBron Bromance are back!

   

10. Bats have become an unexpected attraction at Spurs Games

    

11. KD gives back to his hometown with Durant Center

    

12. Four years ago, Klay lost 37 pts in one quarter

    

13. Remember the night Kobe scored 81 points

    

14. Happy 37th birthday Dwyane Wade

    

15. Steph is just a few strokes from the history of the NBA in 3 points

    

16. Can Harden maintain his dominance?

    

17. Steph Gifts fans who asked UA Kicks girls with a new Curry 6

    

18. Happy 34th birthday in LeBron ?

    

19. Four years ago, Kobe passed Jordan on the NBA scoring list

    

20. Drummond and Embiid Reignite Rivalry

    

The Lakers may be 3.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs for the eighth and final playoff spot, and their chances of participating in the playoffs are slim.

However, Ryan Ruocco, ESPN's presenter of the game, made a good point on television: the team simply gets better when James and Ingram are on the pitch.

That did not happen often, which played a big role in the Lakers slide off the playoffs.

Ingram returned to court just before James was forced to sit for a long time because of a sprained groin. And James was on the ground when Ingram was out.

These two did not play much together, but when they did, the Lakers were 19-14.

This is not a dominant brand, but if Ingram and James had been together on the field all year, we would probably be talking about the Lakers' pressure to get the advantage from the field in the first round .

Suspending with the Bucks, who were at their best and with the best record in the league, is an impressive feat. The Lakers can take their performance–coupled with Ingram's development and continued development on the ground alongside James–and know that they have a shot.

And after?

Both teams play on the road Saturday. The Bucks will face Utah Jazz at the Vivint Smart Home Arena and the Lakers at the Phoenix Suns at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.