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The Milwaukee Bucks’ defense falters in California against the Clippers
Jan 25, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) dunks the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee/Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Bucks Stumble in LA: Analyzing the Loss to the Clippers
The Milwaukee Bucks kicked off their four-game road trip with a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood. Despite a strong start, the Bucks faltered in the fourth quarter, ultimately falling short in a high-scoring affair.
For the first three quarters, it was a back-and-forth battle showcasing high-level basketball. Giannis Antetokounmpo was his usual dominant self, while James Harden turned back the clock with an impressive performance. However, the game took a turn in the fourth quarter when the Bucks’ offense lost its rhythm and began turning the ball over consistently.
The Clippers’ perimeter defense proved to be a significant factor, with James Harden and Norman Powell combining for a staggering 73 points. Harden, in particular, seemed to find his groove, finishing with 40 points on 50% shooting. The Bucks struggled to contain the Clippers’ offensive onslaught, allowing easy drives and kick-outs that left our defense scrambling.
One glaring issue for the Bucks was our inability to secure defensive rebounds. The Clippers grabbed 12 offensive boards, leading to 24 second-chance points – the most we’ve given up all season. This deficiency was particularly noticeable in Bobby Portis’ absence, as he’s been a consistent force on the glass for us.
Khris Middleton had an uncharacteristically poor game, going scoreless and struggling on both ends of the floor. It was a stark contrast to his recent performances, where he had been showing signs of returning to form. The team will be looking for a strong bounce-back game from Middleton in the coming matchups.
On a positive note, Gary Trent Jr. provided a spark off the bench with 19 points, showcasing his value as a reliable scoring option for our second unit. His performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging night for the Bucks.
As we move forward in this road trip, we’ll need to address our defensive issues, particularly in transition and on the glass. The team’s ability to bounce back from this loss will be crucial as we face upcoming challenges against the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ performance against the Clippers, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
• Analysis of Ryan Rollins’ performance and development
• The impact of Bobby Portis’ absence on the team’s rebounding
• Discussion on potential lineup adjustments for upcoming games
Jan 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) rebounds beside center Nick Richards (2) in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | David Richard/David Richard-Imagn Images
It’s hard to pinpoint problems for a middling team. Very bad and excellent teams at least have one thing in common, which is that their deficits are easy to spot. With a team languishing in the middle of the standings, not so bad they’ll slide to the bottom and not good enough to climb past the more competent contenders above them, the deficits stack up and shuffle from day to day.
The Suns are firmly in this category.
There’s personnel issues, that much is clear after center Jusuf Nurkic said over the weekend that he and head coach Mike Budenholzer have no relationship. Not a bad relationship, not a testy one, but none whatsoever. Nurkic also said that he and Budenholzer didn’t speak for two months, and that Budenholzer didn’t tell Nurkic he’d be coming off the bench. That goes directly against what Budenholzer told media when he made the decision.
It’s a strange departure given that Budenholzer travelled to Croatia in the summer, shortly after the Suns hired him to replace the one season shoes of Frank Vogel, to spend time with Nurkic. Nurkic admired Coach Bud’s accountability, and the way he in turn held his players accountable.
“That’s the number one thing I noticed about him that’s different from any coach in my career,” Nurkic said, back in October. “I’ve had a lot of them. I was really amazed he got over and spent a few days with me.”
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 The Milwaukee Bucks are considering a trade involving Guerschon Yabusele from the Philadelphia 76ers and Bobby Portis to the Kings. The potential deal aims to bolster the team’s depth ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Bucks’ trade considerations could significantly impact the roster.
Preview Milwaukee Bucks face the Utah Jazz next, with critical players listed on the injury report. The game preview includes start time, TV schedule, and injury updates, setting the stage for an intense matchup.
Analysis Analyzing the Bucks’ collapse against the LA Clippers reveals critical insights into team dynamics and areas needing improvement. The detailed breakdown identifies key players who stood out and those who fell short.
Analysis Two weeks from the NBA trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks are described as “Contending Strong,” reflecting their potential strategic moves to stay competitive. This trade analysis underscores the team’s ambitions.
Prediction Bold predictions for the 2025 NBA trade deadline suggest the Milwaukee Bucks may make significant roster changes. Speculation around possible trade moves could reshape the team’s strategies for the season.
Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The NBA action over the weekend was intense, with 15 games providing plenty of storylines to dissect. Let’s dive into some of the most notable performances and developments.
In Paris, the Indiana Pacers bounced back from their previous loss with a dominant 136-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 28 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in just 28 minutes. Andrew Nembhard continued his solid play with 15 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, though I’m not convinced he’s a must-roster player in standard leagues.
The Golden State Warriors are becoming increasingly difficult to figure out. With Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green sidelined, Steve Kerr’s rotations were unpredictable. Trayce Jackson-Davis saw only 14 minutes, making it hard to justify holding onto in most formats. The flavour of the month seems to be Brandin Podziemski, who put up 17 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 28 minutes.
Injury Updates Shake Up Rotations
Several teams are dealing with significant injuries that are impacting their rotations. The Atlanta Hawks will be without Trae Young for their upcoming game, while De’Andre Hunter is questionable. This could open up opportunities for players like Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic to see increased usage.
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