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’ Resilience Shines in Victory Over Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig (13) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum.|Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Bucks showcased their resilience with a 122-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls, marking their fourth win in five games. Despite a slow start, the Bucks found their rhythm, thanks largely to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s explosive performance. Antetokounmpo scored 25 of his 41 points in the third quarter, a crucial period where the Bucks have struggled this season. His aggressive play and ability to dominate without settling for shots were pivotal in keeping the Bulls at bay.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Dominance
Antetokounmpo’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. With Patrick Williams absent due to injury, the Bulls lacked a defender capable of containing him. Antetokounmpo’s relentless attack mode was evident as he capitalized on the Bulls’ defensive gaps. His playmaking also shone through, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he facilitated key plays that helped the Bucks pull ahead. A highlight was his assist to AJ Green, who hit a crucial three-pointer, demonstrating the team’s improved ball movement and offensive fluidity.
Role Players Step Up
The Bucks’ supporting cast played a significant role in the win. AJ Green emerged as a defensive stopper, effectively slowing down Zach LaVine, who had been on a scoring spree. Green’s defensive prowess, combined with his ability to knock down three-pointers, made him a valuable asset on both ends of the court. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard, despite struggling with his three-point shot, contributed with 10 assists, showcasing his playmaking skills and determination to impact the game beyond scoring.
Brook Lopez also played a crucial role, acting as a stabilizing force in the Bucks’ offense. His ability to make smart passes and maintain the pace in the half-court set was instrumental in the team’s success. The Bucks’ offense showed signs of improvement, with multiple players contributing to the scoring effort, a necessary development for the team to maintain its winning momentum.
The Bucks’ defense was another highlight, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they closed the game on a 20-7 run. This defensive intensity was crucial in securing the win and demonstrated the team’s potential when they lock in on that end of the floor.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ strategies and 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’ third-quarter struggles and how they overcame them
AJ Green’s emergence as a key defensive player
Damian Lillard’s playmaking and shooting slump
Brook Lopez’s impact on the Bucks’ offensive fluidity
The Bucks’ defensive strategies in the fourth quarter
Upcoming challenges and opportunities for the Bucks in their schedule
A refrain I’ve increasingly heard from casuals, like the talking heads on the NBA’s biggest broadcast partners, is that the league is too homogenous these days, that every team just goes out there and chucks up threes. Every game is the same.
Leaving aside the shortsightedness of famous, influential media analysts dumping on their own product, it’s a common enough complaint that I felt an urge to investigate. My eyeballs tell me the league’s never been more diverse and fun, thanks largely to the absurd wealth of stars today with skill sets as bespoke as their draft night suits. Jokic’s Nuggets look nothing like Tatum’s Celtics look nothing like Brunson’s Knicks, and to suggest otherwise is willful ignorance.
As I wrote about for Basketball Poetry yesterday, the current top five offenses are Boston, Cleveland, New York, the Lakers, and Dallas. Those five teams rank first, 14th, 17th, 24th, and 21st, respectively, in share of shots that are triples. You certainly don’t need to launch a million threes relative to your peers to score the basketball successfully.
Of course, that’s a rather superficial analysis. Regardless of rank, what if the absolute numbers are all getting closer together? That would represent a growing sameness.
I looked at shot data from this season, a decade ago, and 20 years ago to see how much the share of three-pointers had changed.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Replay Giannis Antetokounmpo’s playmaking shone as the Bucks defeated the Bulls, with his key assists in the third quarter proving decisive. Zach LaVine’s efforts couldn’t bridge the gap.(Brew Hoop)
Ranking Analyzing the Bucks’ trade assets reveals a spectrum from unwanted to highly desirable players. This evaluation provides insight into potential moves and strategic decisions.(Behind the Buck Pass)
Stat Owen Phillips of The F5 looks at how often centers defend guards, how often perimeter players are involuntarily guarded by centers (aka the Tony Allen effect), and much more in his analytical newsletter.
Analysis Jared Dubin of Last Night, In Basketball discusses something related: what kind of players are guarding point guards these days?
Must Read Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic talks about the NBA’s increasing difficulty for defensive-minded, older players, but the real story is that Draymond Green claims to have started lifting just four years ago.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
The Randomness Of Fantasy Basketball On A Wednesday In The NBA
Nov 20, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images|Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Top Five Fantasy Takeaways from Wednesday’s Games
1. Paul George’s Knee Injury Concerns
Paul George’s knee hyperextension during the 76ers vs. Grizzlies game is a significant concern for fantasy managers. While initial reports suggest no structural damage, his availability in the coming games is uncertain. This situation could open up opportunities for other players on the 76ers to step up, making it crucial to monitor updates closely.
2. Unpredictable Pelicans vs. Cavaliers Game
The Pelicans vs. Cavaliers matchup was a bizarre affair, with unexpected lineups and performances. Elfrid Payton started for the Pelicans, and Jaylon Tyson shone for the Cavs, but these anomalies are unlikely to have long-term fantasy implications. Managers should view this game as an outlier and avoid making hasty roster changes based on these performances.
3. Pacers’ Struggles and Tyrese Haliburton’s Slump
The Pacers are facing challenges, particularly with Tyrese Haliburton’s shooting woes. His road performance has been notably poor, possibly due to lingering back issues. Despite this, Haliburton’s track record suggests a turnaround is likely, making him a prime buy-low candidate for managers willing to take a risk on his recovery.
Click the button below to see how Norman Powell’s injury could open up opportunities for the Clippers, and a top 50 player returns to action.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Defense Shines Amidst Offensive Struggles The Milwaukee Bucks have transformed their defense into a powerhouse, ranking 6th in the NBA since November 1st with a 110.6 defensive rating. Yet, their offense lags, sitting at 19th due to injuries and shooting slumps.
Brook Lopez shines as the Milwaukee Bucks find a way to beat the Houston Rockets | Bucks win 101-100 Brook Lopez delivered a standout performance, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a win over the Houston Rockets with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals. Tune in to uncover the game-changing moments and strategic decisions that defined this thrilling matchup.
Controversial Calls Shake Milwaukee Bucks’ Recent Games Did the referees cost the Milwaukee Bucks crucial victories? Recent games against the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons have sparked debate over controversial officiating, including a “phantom foul” on LaMelo Ball.
