Milwaukee Bucks have their share of problems, with several players being sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols, including the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.

Moreover, Bobby Portis and Sandro Mamukelashvili, both bigs, were also sidelined for the same reason as the Bucks faced the also COVID-struck Dallas Mavericks.

Milwaukee was able to prevail over Dallas with a 102-95 win away from home as Giannis missed the fifth consecutive game. With limited options in the frontcourt, the Bucks had to focus on getting the best from DeMarcus Cousins, and the former All-Star did not disappoint.

“Definitely feel like I’m on a rhythm, I said it when I signed, it will be a process just trying to learn the spots trying to learn my role, learn the other guys spots, defensive schemes.

There was a lot to take in on the fly, and it’s gonna continue being a process,” Cousins said in the post-game presser of Thursday’s contest.

Cousins put up 22 points along with eights rebounds and four assists to help the Bucks win the third of the last five games. The veteran center shot an efficient 8-of-15 from the field.

The veteran center puts up impressive numbers in the last four games, as he averages 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds, shooting on a 48 percent clip to help the Bucks remain afloat.

The veteran center followed Jrue Holiday (24), who continued his impressive stint since Giannis was sidelined, and Khris Middleton (26). The three stars combined for 72 points on Thursday night.

“I’m being fan of Jrue Holiday since I was a junior, and he was a senior in high school. I got to see him play for the first time in Minnesota at the Gatorade shootout, and I was like blown away,” Cousins said.

“Outside of just becoming a better player in general, it’s the same silky smooth, “get the job done” type of game, and he’s only got better throughout the years.

Obviously, the roles are different. In New Orleans, he was more so him playing for me, and now me playing more for him, it’s how the basketball rolls sometimes. He’s one of my favorites players in this league,” Cousins concluded.

Holiday is certainly one of the best guards in the NBA in the last four games. He averages a team-high 28.5 points, shooting an amazing 56 percent from the field. He also adds nine assists and five rebounds per game.

The Bucks are heading to Christmas Day having a positive record without their leading superstar. Milwaukee will return home to face Boston on Saturday.