The Milwaukee Bucks took down the Los Angeles Lakers 105-101 Friday for their third win in the last four games and it wasn't an easy feat.

Kevin Porter Jr. led the Bucks with 22 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo was just behind with 21. 

When it comes to beating the Lakers, the most obvious target that needs to be handled is Luka Dončić. The Slovenian superstar is playing at a MVP level and is leading the entire NBA with an average of 33.3 points per game. Dončić has shown his ability to take over games and almost single-handedly will the Lakers to a win, so containing him is a top priority.

Keeping Dončić at bay was the Bucks' greatest accomplishment on Friday and likely the key to coming home with the tight win. Dončić still managed 24 points, but that's a light day by his standards and his lowest scoring total since the Lakers' Dec. 25 loss to the Houston Rockets.

"Just put pressure on him [Dončić]," Ryan Rollins said (via Bucks). "Not foul too. I think we did a good job not fouling him, making him make the tough, in-between twos. It started with that. I think he got a little frustrated after that and [he] was still making some tough shots, but us not fouling and putting him on the free throw line helped." 

Dončić's frustration was evident in the final seconds of the game. He fouled out with just over 16 seconds left after fouling Porter Jr. while the Bucks guard attempted a three-pointer and when Dončić heard the whistle go off, he was livid. He stopped to throw his hands up and yell at the referees who ended his night before he finally headed back to the bench. 

Keeping Dončić away from the charity stripe was the key to keeping him from racking up points. Dončić averages 12 free throw attempts and 9.4 makes per game, both the most in the NBA. However, Dončić went to the line just eight times on Friday, making four. 

Without the extra attempts to work with Dončić was relatively limited in the damage that he was able to do and in a game that was decided by just four points, that limitation means everything. 

Beating a tough opponent like the Lakers is a major plus for the Bucks, who have had a frustrating season so far but have lately been on the rise. Things won't get any easier in their next game, a Jan. matchup on the road against the Denver Nuggets, but the momentum they've gained beating one tough Western Conference team could help them take down another.

"We needed this one for sure," Rollins said. "Get the next one too. It'll be three in a row on this little road trip which would be good for us for sure just to find confidence and get back on the right streak."