The Bucks are the most dominant road team ever

Giannis getting rest

Giannis is averaging 30.9 minutes per game, the lowest since his rookie season. Rest is key to winning on the road, as Antetokounmpo can play better in back-to-backs and allot more of his effort to competing with the deep Western Conference on road trips.

His per-game averages are astonishing given his minutes count and when he’s on the floor the game is as simple as can be for the rest of the team.

In 48 games, Giannis has only eclipsed 30 minutes 31 times and 35 minutes 9 times. This is ridiculous. Only two NBA MVPs have ever won the award while averaging less than 33 minutes per game: Giannis and Steph Curry. Ideally, Coach Mike Budenholzer is keeping Giannis ready for more grueling battles later in the season.

While not fully relying on load management for Giannis, the team’s medical staff has been given the flexibility to avoid taking chances with him. He is on pace to miss more games this season than he ever has.

Last year, Giannis sat out ten games but before that he never missed more than seven games in a season. The Bucks organization is clearly tinkering with their approach to his rest to better gear Giannis up for deep playoff runs in many consecutive seasons.

Given Giannis’ reliance on his elite athleticism, he can never have too much rest. Fortunately, the team has proven capable of carrying on without him, posting a 5-1 record when Giannis does not suit up.