Camille Davis and Justin Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Bucks podcast, with your daily Locked On Bucks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Bucks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Bucks’ Struggles Continue
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) reach for a loose ball in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum.|Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Bucks faced another challenging game, falling to the Boston Celtics despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impressive 43-point performance. The Bucks’ record now stands at 2-8, raising concerns about their ability to compete at a high level this season. The first half showcased the Bucks’ offensive potential, scoring 69 points with a 58.1% field goal percentage. However, the second half told a different story, as the Celtics quickly erased an 11-point lead and took control of the game.
Offensive Struggles and Defensive Challenges
The Bucks have shown glimpses of strong offensive and defensive performances, but these have been inconsistent. Their two wins this season coincided with their best performances on both ends of the court. When the Bucks defend well, their offense flows more smoothly. However, in most games, the defense has been mediocre, and the offense has struggled to compensate.
In the recent loss to the Celtics, the Bucks’ offense appeared disjointed in the second half. Giannis, who was effective in the first half, settled for mid-range shots that didn’t fall in the second half. Damian Lillard also struggled, lacking rhythm and shooting poorly from the perimeter. The Celtics’ defense pressured the Bucks on the perimeter, disrupting their offensive flow.
The Need for Consistency and Adjustments
The Bucks’ inconsistency is evident in their inability to maintain offensive and defensive intensity throughout games. The team has been experimenting with defensive strategies, including more switching, but this has not always been effective. The Celtics exploited mismatches, particularly targeting Lillard on defense. The Bucks need to find a balance between switching and maintaining defensive integrity.
Offensively, the Bucks must improve their ball movement and decision-making. Too often, players hesitate, leading to poor shot selection and turnovers. The team needs to be more aggressive and decisive, especially in tight games. The lack of rhythm and cohesion has been a recurring issue, and the Bucks must address these problems to turn their season around.
The Bucks’ upcoming schedule includes games against teams like the Bulls, Raptors, and Pistons. These matchups present opportunities to build momentum and improve their record. However, the Bucks must first address their internal issues and find a way to compete consistently against both strong and weaker opponents.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ challenges and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
The impact of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s performance on the team’s dynamics
Analysis of Damian Lillard’s shooting struggles and potential adjustments
The role of young players like Andre Jackson Jr. and A.J. Green in the rotation
Defensive strategies and the effectiveness of switching
Upcoming games and what the Bucks need to do to improve their record
37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists. The first NBA player to reach these numbers in a game, and Nikola Jokic did it on a Sunday night in Denver, snowy pockets of flurries settling over the city. I wish I’d been collecting these stat lines all along, or had thought to make a note on the calendar when they happened. I’d like to see if there’s a pattern, though I’ve got a hunch that the dates would come to mean less than what the volume of them proves: in Jokic’s hands, the unprecedented becomes routine.
It starts with his skill, we know this. But let’s zero in on how he carries himself around the floor, how he moves. Jokic lopes, jogs, shuffles, occasionally bops, tends to move laterally more than he does in a direct line. It all serves to create an illusion that he’s slow and behind the pace. It’s why so many have a difficult time categorizing what it is he’s doing — he doesn’t work the way a basketball player does, tends to be the refrain. It’s because he looks, most of the time, relaxed
He can also appear pressed, like there’s someplace else he’d rather be. This is not the kind of approach we like to see from our stars. If they don’t look dialled in, if it doesn’t look strenuous at least some of the time, we tend to distrust their effort and skill. But Jokic’s arduousness is some of my favourite in the league, because it presents at our expense. And indeed, it must be exhausting to prove nearly every night that you can manipulate the game at every level.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Recap Jayson Tatum outshone Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Celtics defeated the Bucks 121-110, despite a strong showing from Milwaukee’s star.
Analysis The Monday Morning Media Roundup discusses the Bucks’ regular season indifference and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impact.
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Basketball Managers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Managers
Sunday’s NBA action took a concerning turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Chet Holmgren, their promising young centre, suffered a hip injury just five minutes into the game against the Golden State Warriors. This incident has left both the team and fantasy managers in a state of uncertainty, as Holmgren’s presence on the court has been pivotal.
The Impact of Holmgren’s Injury
Holmgren’s injury occurred during an attempt to contest a dunk, resulting in a hard fall that left him limping off the court. The Thunder have since reported it as a hip injury, but the full extent and severity remain unclear. Given Holmgren’s importance to the Thunder’s lineup, any absence could significantly impact their performance, especially considering their current lack of depth at the centre position.
Potential Replacements and Adjustments
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, the Thunder may need to rely on a smaller lineup, as they did against the Warriors. This could mean increased minutes for players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who might see more court time and opportunities to contribute. In deeper leagues, Ousmane Dieng could also be considered for a temporary boost, though none are likely to replicate Holmgren’s production. Fantasy managers might consider these short-term pickups, but it’s crucial to temper expectations, as the Thunder’s rotation could remain fluid.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
The Milwaukee Bucks make their way back into the win column after a 23 point victory over the Utah Jazz The Milwaukee Bucks snapped a six-game losing streak with a 123-100 victory over the Utah Jazz. This episode explores the electrifying performance of the Bucks’ star duo, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who combined for an impressive 65 points showcasing their growing chemistry on the court. Andre Jackson Jr.'s defensive prowess is highlighted as he energized the starting lineup.
Are the Bucks or 76ers in a worse spot this season? The Milwaukee Bucks, tied for the worst record in the NBA at 1-6, are in a precarious position. With an upcoming game against the Utah Jazz, the pressure is on for a crucial win. This episode explores the Bucks’ struggles, comparing their situation to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Is a changing of the guards what the Milwaukee Bucks need to overcome their slow start? The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a rocky 1-6 start this season, raising eyebrows across the NBA. With young talents like AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. vying for more court time, could this be the shake-up the Bucks need?
