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.
Can the Bucks Grab Momentum Heading into the Second Half
Jan 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reaches for a rebound during the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch/Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Bucks Face Pivotal Matchup Against Raptors: Can They Avoid the Trap?
The Milwaukee Bucks are gearing up for a crucial game against the Toronto Raptors tonight, and it’s not one to be taken lightly. Despite the Raptors’ struggling record, they’ve shown they can still pack a punch, as evidenced by their recent 13-point victory over the full-strength Boston Celtics.
As we look at the Bucks’ current position, sitting at 22-17 and five games above .500 for the first time this season, it’s clear that momentum is building. The team has secured back-to-back wins against the Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic to start their homestand, but the Raptors game presents a potential trap.
The danger lies in the schedule. With the Philadelphia 76ers looming on the horizon, it’s tempting to overlook Toronto. However, we can’t afford to fall into that mindset. Every game matters, especially as we jockey for position in the Eastern Conference standings.
Looking at the numbers, the Bucks are knocking on the door of the top 10 in key statistical categories. We’re currently 13th in offense, 8th in defense, and hovering around 11th or 12th in net rating. Since our 2-8 start, we’ve seen significant improvement, particularly on the defensive end where we now rank 5th.
The challenge now is to optimize our lineup and maximize our offensive potential. With Khris Middleton’s role off the bench and his ongoing recovery, we’re still finding our rhythm. The potential absence of Andre Jackson Jr. due to injury opens up interesting lineup possibilities that could boost our offensive output.
As we approach this game, our focus needs to be on maintaining the same level of intensity and execution that we’ve shown in recent victories. We can’t afford to play casually or underestimate the Raptors. Taking care of business early and building a substantial lead could allow us to rest key players in the fourth quarter, setting us up well for the challenges ahead.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ strategy against the Raptors, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
• Jimmy Butler trade rumors and potential impact on the Bucks
• Analysis of the Bucks’ remaining January schedule and playoff positioning
• Discussion on optimizing the Bucks’ lineup for maximum offensive efficiency
Jan 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the rest of the NBA season could just be various instances spent listening to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go WOOOO to varying decibels and degrees of excitement? It would be, to borrow from a master gone too soon, Lynchian.
If not that, then to watch the Thunder and Cavaliers play each other, over and over, until April 13th. I suspect we still wouldn’t have our fill of these two teams but don’t fret, we’d have a riveting seven game series. Each game a competitive and tight feast for the eyes.
To really get an understanding of how, though relentless pressuring and seamless switching, the Thunder have run away with the first overall defensive rating. That even against a team like Cleveland who pride themselves on the way they’re able to take care of the ball, and their communication skills, OKC can pluck the ball out of the hands of an opponent on a fastbreak, a drive, as if they were walking right up to a kid and taking candy from their hands.
Of course, this all makes it sound like watching these two teams in perpetuity is going to look heavily lopsided for the Thunder. The matchup last night was a wallop for the West, for sure, but Cleveland showed why they’ve been coolly leading the East and the entire league. Rainbow threes from Mitchell, light lobs over the heads of every Thunder player — just then upturned to watch — between Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, and fadeaway shots from the corner care of Max Strus.
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.
Analysis Khris Middleton and Jimmy Butler’s dynamic playstyles are crucial. Explore why the Bucks need Middleton’s consistency alongside Butler. (Behind the Buck Pass)
Trade Could the Bucks and Suns pull off a perfect trade? Evaluate the ideal target and its potential impact on Milwaukee’s roster. (Behind the Buck Pass)
Ranking The Bucks’ position in the NBA Power Rankings reflects their recent performances and future prospects. (Bleacher Report)
Honor Giannis Antetokounmpo has increased his lead in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game voting, reflecting his continued dominance and fan support. View the results. (CBS Sports)
Fantasy Basketball News Roundup: The Tanking In Utah
Jan 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers are taking tanking to a whole new level. The Jazz have been sitting players like John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler for various reasons. While I understand the incentives for tanking, the odds of getting the number one pick are not high. The NBA has been cracking down on teams resting healthy players, but these two franchises seem to be pushing the boundaries.
As a fantasy analyst, I’ve been advising people to avoid high picks from these teams due to the risk of shutdowns and reduced playing time. It’s frustrating to see this level of blatant tanking, especially when it impacts fantasy basketball managers.
The Memphis Grizzlies are another team to watch, with Ja Morant constantly appearing on the injury report. While they’re not tanking like Utah and Portland, Morant’s frequent injuries are concerning for fantasy managers.
In other news, Donte DiVincenzo is out with a toe sprain for the Knicks, which could lead to increased minutes for Mike Conley. However, I wouldn’t rush to add Conley in most leagues.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
What makes the Milwaukee Bucks 122-93 victory over the Orlando Magic so important? This episode breaks down the Bucks’ impressive 29-point win, highlighting Damian Lillard’s standout performance and the dynamic chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
The Milwaukee Bucks Snap the Sacramento Kings 7 Game Win Streak Behind Another Giannis Triple-Double Can the Milwaukee Bucks maintain their momentum after a stunning victory over the Sacramento Kings? With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50th career triple-double and Damian Lillard’s clutch performance, the Bucks are making waves in the NBA.
Can the Bucks Slow Down the Kings and Get Back on Track? This episode dives into the Bucks’ recent performance, injury updates, and the Kings’ impressive surge under Doug Christie’s simplified offense. Key figures like De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are spotlighted, as the hosts explore potential strategies and matchups.
