Rivers: Bucks learning to win after 6th straight victory

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers thought the team's growth was on display after dispatching the Washington Wizards 124-114 Saturday night.

"I didn't think we started the game out right. We just kind of came out and played, and then we got into the game," Rivers said postgame, according to The Athletic's Eric Nehm. "But you take the wins like this because these are the games early in the season we would have lost."

He added: "These games are good teachers for us."

Milwaukee has turned things around after starting the year with a disastrous 2-8 record, winning eight of its next nine contests. The Bucks now have a record better than .500 for the first time since starting the season 1-0.

The most glaring change for Milwaukee has been on the defensive end of the floor. The Bucks were ranked 22nd in defense in their opening 10 contests, allowing 115.7 points per game. Over their previous nine games, however, Milwaukee has had the league's eighth-stingiest defense with a defensive rating of 109.3.

Another major reason for the turnaround is the outstanding performances by Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 34.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 8.3 assists over Milwaukee's last nine games. The former MVP recorded a 40-point triple-double Saturday night against the Wizards, his third triple-double of the campaign.

The former MVP also credited his growing chemistry with point guard Damian Lillard for the team's improved play.

"Now we're going into our second year playing together, and our chemistry has been incredible so far," Antetokounmpo said after the Wizards game, per Nehm. "I think we trust one another. We definitely trust way more one another's decision-making and we give one another space to operate."

Milwaukee sits sixth in the Eastern Conference and will have an opportunity to capture its seventh consecutive win Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.