Of course, it didn't end up that way, because Thompson was brilliant on offense in the fourth (seven points on 3-3 shooting in the final 2 minutes, 40 seconds), because Hawes finished a monster dunk in the lane, and, of course, because of Evans, who came off a J.T. pick on that final play and deked Bogut all the way back to Tuesday. No blame on Bogey for that one — what can a big guy do?. It's just another crosshatch in the early canon of 'Reke, one we won't soon forget.

I have no idea how Bogut ended up shooting 6-20 from the floor, given how effortless his possessions near the rim looked. Neither Hawes nor Thompson could stop him — Bogut ended up getting enough tough bounces and failed tips to turn out an inefficient night, but in most games it wouldn't have gone that way. The only Buck who actually came out with a strongly efficient game was Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (14 points on five FGAs).

As for Jennings-Evans … well, true to form, Jennings distributed more readily, while Evans owned on the scoreboard and defense. Evans won the battle and the game, but the narrative between those two will be told over the course of careers, not single nights. Can't wait until the war moves to Sacramento in March.

All told, a brilliant bounceback game for the Kings. Revenge against Chicago (just one game worse than Milwaukee right now) is next.