Bucks’ Struggles Without Giannis and Dame: A Closer Look at Recent Losses
The Milwaukee Bucks have hit a rough patch, dropping two winnable games against the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls. These losses sting, especially considering we were without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard for stretches. While it’s tempting to write these off due to missing key players, the reality is these were games we should have won.
Against the Nets, we had multiple opportunities to close out the game but failed to execute. The Bulls game was particularly frustrating, as they dominated us in the paint early on. We’ve prided ourselves on our clutch performance this season, but these last two games have exposed some weaknesses.
The absence of Giannis was felt acutely against the Bulls. His impact on both ends of the floor, especially in rim protection and paint scoring, was sorely missed. While we can’t dwell on what-ifs, it’s clear that having our full roster would have made a significant difference.
These losses could have broader implications for our playoff seeding. We’ve dropped to the sixth seed in the East, and with teams like the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks finding their rhythm, every game counts. It’s frustrating to think that these two losses could be the difference between a favorable playoff matchup and a tougher road.
One concerning trend has been the shooting performance of our role players since Khris Middleton’s return. Taurean Prince, in particular, has seen a significant drop in his three-point percentage. While it’s unrealistic to expect him to maintain his early-season 56% clip from beyond the arc, his current 23% shooting is a far cry from what we need.
Prince’s struggles coincide with reduced minutes and a shift in his role. He’s playing fewer minutes with Giannis and Dame, which could be affecting his rhythm and shot selection. It’s a situation we’ll need to monitor closely as we aim to find the right balance in our rotations.
As we look ahead to our New Year’s Eve matchup against the Indiana Pacers, we need to address these issues quickly. The Pacers have been playing well, and we can’t afford another slip-up. It’s crucial that we start games strong, maintain our defensive intensity, and execute better in clutch situations.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ recent performances, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
• Analysis of the Bucks’ offensive and defensive ratings in December
• The importance of health and consistency for the Bucks’ Big Three
• A look at the team’s clutch performance statistics
