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 Still Searching for Answers Against the Eastern Conference Elites
Jan 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner/Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Bucks’ Struggles Against Top Eastern Conference Teams Raise Concerns
The Milwaukee Bucks’ recent loss to the New York Knicks has highlighted a concerning trend for our team. We currently hold an 0-8 record against the top three teams in the Eastern Conference, which includes the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and now the Knicks. This statistic is particularly worrying as we approach the latter half of the season.
The defeat at Madison Square Garden was especially disappointing, as it was a crucial opportunity to even the season series with the Knicks and close the gap in the standings. With this loss, it seems increasingly unlikely that we’ll finish higher than fourth in the Eastern Conference. We’ve now lost the season series tiebreakers against the Knicks, Celtics, and Cavaliers, putting us in a precarious position.
Our struggles against top-tier teams are not going unnoticed. While Damian Lillard attempted to put a positive spin on the situation, pointing out that many of these games were closely contested, the fact remains that we haven’t been able to secure victories in these crucial matchups. Khris Middleton’s candid response resonated with many fans, acknowledging that these wins matter and that we need to beat good teams consistently.
Coach Doc Rivers, for his part, is maintaining a confident stance. He emphasized that regular season records don’t necessarily dictate playoff outcomes, stating that if we’re playing well when it matters most, we can beat anyone. However, it’s hard to ignore the nagging doubt that these losses create.
The absence of key players like Gary Trent Jr. and Ryan Rollins due to illness certainly didn’t help our cause against the Knicks. The team’s depth was tested, and we struggled to contain Jalen Brunson, who exploded for 23 points in the first quarter alone.
Looking ahead, we face a crucial four-game homestand that could define our season. With matchups against the red-hot Sacramento Kings, the surging Orlando Magic, and the Philadelphia 76ers, we have our work cut out for us. These games present an opportunity to right the ship and prove that we can compete with the best in the league.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ recent performance and upcoming challenges, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
• Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent efficiency struggles and potential hand injury concerns
• The impact of missing key players on the Bucks’ rotation and defensive strategies
• Analysis of Karl-Anthony Towns’ strong performances against the Bucks this season
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
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
Trade Considering defensive strengths, Toumani Camara from the Portland Trail Blazers emerges as a potential trade candidate for the Bucks, enhancing their roster’s defensive depth. (Brew Hoop)
Analysis In the Bucks-Knicks game, strategic insights reveal how Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns posed significant challenges, while Giannis and Dame showcased pivotal performances. (Brew Hoop)
Analysis Giannis Antetokounmpo’s offensive game is dissected to understand how his scoring prowess elevates the Bucks’ overall play, highlighting key strategies and performance metrics. (Behind The Buck Pass)
Analysis The absence of underrated players in the Bucks-Knicks matchup underlines the impact on team dynamics, offering a deeper understanding of rotational strategies. (Behind The Buck Pass)
Trade An intriguing proposal for the Bucks suggests exploring a trade, focusing on strategic enhancements to their lineup for a stronger playoff push. Explore the potential deal. (Bleacher Report)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
Making sense of Khris Middleton’s rehab while the Bucks continue to lean on an elite defense Are more lineup changes coming for a Bucks team who’s defense continues to show remarkable improvement?
Examining the Bucks Best Lineups and how to Optimize the Starting Five How are the Milwaukee Bucks are adjusting their strategy with Khris Middleton back in action alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard? The episode dives into the effectiveness of different player groupings, including the promising performances of AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr.
Can the Milwaukee Bucks maintain their momentum after a blowout win over the Toronto Raptors? With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the charge, the Bucks put together a much needed win over the Toronto Raptors. Explore the dynamics of the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent victory, and what went differently for this team against another sub-.500 opponent. The discussion also highlights Andre Jackson Jr.'s impact and the best role for Khris Middleton.
