Miami shooting 38% and they’re up 18 because they have 12 offensive rebounds, and the Bucks have turned the ball over 17 times.
Bledsoe trying to get them back in it....
Miami is a bad matchup for this Bucks team. The Bucks don’t score proficiently enough to force the Heat to honor the jumpers. They can match the Bucks length, and between Whiteside and Johnson they’re taking all the stuff at the rim away.
Did I read that right? Bucks got out scored 30-8 in the third?
How do you score 8 points in a quarter?
Three moments when the comeback fell short- Bucks down 6, Snell gets a wide open transition 3 in the midst of a 13-0 run that hot them back in the game- clank.
About a minute to go, Bledsoe gets a steal and is one on one with Wade on a breakaway, the Bucks are down 4 and can cut it to 2. Instead of playing it smart and backing down from one of the greatest shot blocking Gs of all time (who has 4 inches on Bledsoe), perhaps looking for one of the most dangerous transition players in the game (Giannis) trailingbthe play- he goes right at Wade. The result is predictable... Wade stuffs him and the Heat take the ball.
Then with about :17 seconds left Josh Richardson throws an elbow at Giannis on a cut in the lane on an inbounds pass- Giannis gets called for a foul (which on a dead ball is a FT and the ball), but they go to the replay on the elbow. Now, the replay is pretty clear that Richardson threw the elbow, and it does hit Giannis in the head- so it should be 2 and the ball for a flagrant 1. Instead, they call a T on Richardson. ??? How is it a T? Flagrant is 2 and the ball.
The Bucks were down 4 at that moment. Instead of 2 FTs and the ball for a flagrant, each guy makes a FT, Miami keeps the ball, and Ellington drains a 3 for the dagger.
Giannis was pissed- I think these tight games against better teams are going to still expose the Bucks’ lack of cache with the league and the officials.
Really like how Bledsoe lead the comeback though. They need him playing at a high level. Giannis got nothing going until the late 4th, and Khash and Giannis a combined 13-35, Giannis 5 turnovers. Parker was completely ineffective last night. Add in Parker and they were 15-40.
It was a defensive struggle, and the collapse of the 3rd was the killer. But they played ball in the 4th, and hopefully they can get back to basics and limit those turnovers and elevate their game. They could see Miami in the playoffs...
Pretty amazing they even made it a game considering how dreadful they played for 90% of the game.
Nice win tonight for our boys.
Good stuff. Let's hope they keep it up!
Zeller and Maker had meaningful minutes. I don’t like the fact this team keep jacking up 3s like they are the Rockets or Warriors but a win is a win.
Zeller has been giving them quality minutes. He holds up against the bigger, stronger guys. Maker is getting more comfortable, which needs to happen. The best thing to happen to Maker was a new coach.
The first half was a slog... and Orlando was shooting out of its mind. Things regressed to the norm in the second half, and they broke through. One more easier game (ATL on TUES) and the Raptors on the road before the break. Man, to get both these games... that’d be a really strong message sent!
Another ok-ish win against a bad team. Poor first half play allowed Atlanta to have a halftime lead, then they opened up a lead in the third q only to relinquish it in the 4th.
Slow starts (on both ends) are killing them. They miss a few in the first q and they spend the second catching up. Do that against Denver, or Toronto in the next couple weeks and you’ll be behind 20 before can say Antetokounmpo.
Tyler Zeller can play. They finally have a big body that can make the other team’s big guy work. Will he be able to ward off Valenciunis or Ibaka? We’ll see. But he’s a smart, capable player who can help them more than I thought. Looking at this stage like a nice move.
Thon Maker is starting to play with confidence. And when he does, it’s a sight to behold. So far they’re still not using his speed- they need to. He has frequently gone down the floor and got ahead of the defense and no one sees him. It’s an easy two. Just practice it and you’ll make teams pay for having the big lumber wagons out there pushing him aroundin the paint- level the playing field.
Parker had a moment that I haven’t seen anyone talk about- after the highlight reel dunk (which was amazing), he went up for a rebound and seemed to land awkwardly. They showed it a couple times- the camera crew caught it. And he definitely dialed it back after. But he didn’t come out. After he took his normal rest, he came back and still looked a little less aggressive. Maybe just a tweak. Maybe nothing. Haven’t heard anything since...
Nuggets 13-19 from 3, Bucks give up 72 in the first half and Jokic has a triple double... at the half. 
Can anybody on this team play defense? Denver is shooting 65% (22 of 34) from 3 pt range, and are up 117-93 with over 8 minutes left in the game.
What at the actual F—-????
Absolutely huge night for Giannis-36 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds, 3 blocked shots. Unfortunately, Nikola Jokic was even better with 30 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds.
Bucks lose 134-123.
It was poor defense, but they were just chucking it up. Meanwhile Snell and Middleton 11/28, and 3/9 from three (Middleton 4 turnovers). That’s your starting 2 and 3, on a night the Nuggets were kinda playing defense.
The Bucks cannot afford to spend $31M/year on that...
I was at the game. The defense was poor, and yet I also thought Denver just had one of those nights where they just never missed open shots. Not the end of the world, but let's just hope it doesn't become a trend.
Before the game when I saw the starting lineup listed for the Nuggets, I just assumed they'd be one of the worst teams in the league. Man was I wrong about that, in person they were impressive. They probably also had an exceptional game, but they were 10 million times better than I was expecting.
They’re a potentially good team- and Jokic is still only in his 3rd year. Really tough matchup for the Bucks without Henson.
I don’t feel as frustrated by the late as as in the past- it took one of the greatest shooting nights in NBA history and the fastest trip/dub in history to beat them. They miss 4 of the 24 3s and the Bucks win.
And there’s all this angst about Maker- he’s 223 pounds trying to play C against Jokic, who is a good player and out-weighs him by 30 pounds. He had a tough night. That’s why I’m so pleased with Zeller’s play. He was excellent last night. He will help.
But even Giannis struggled his second season- and he wasn’t trying to play a position where he was giving up 30+ pounds a night. I see his game- it’s coming along. He’s a very quick athlete, and can really fly up and down the floor. His issues are 50% in his head and 50% in his body. Everything else is there... it’s going to pop. He’s going to be great when he’s strong and heavier and can hold up against the bigger guys. He has All Star ability/athleticism. Just stay the course...
Denver is a solid team and many feel is the Bucks equivalent in the West. A young and talented up and coming team that hasn’t figured it all out yet.
The Nuggets had a historical night shooting the 3. It happens. Not sure the Warriors would have beaten them under those circumstances.
Bucks have trouble beating good teams... big test coming up. Toronto, NOLA, Wizards, and Detroit. Need at least 2 of them...
Pretty great win- finally got those dudes.
But the player of the game? Jason Terry. JET hits 4/5 from 3 and two clutch FTs to seal the win. The biggest shot was in OT- Raptors start out OT 5-0, and Giannis fumbles the ball on a drove. Giannis with an incredible dive and tap to JET in the corner, and he pops a 3 as the shot clock expires with a guy draped all over him. They blow that possession they may not recover. Next possession Middleton buried a 3 to take the lead.
But Middleton had a chance with 8 seconds to make it real hard- he only hits 1/2 FTs and allows the Valenciunis dunk at the buzzer to send it to OT.
Great way to start the stretch run though... 17 to go.
Wooohooo.....here we go baby!! What a great win!!
Wifey got me Warriors / Bucks Tix on March 29th at O.Co for Valentine's Day!
They might not make the finals but at least I can see Giannis play this year.
Fun game. Not happy Middleton missed the FT but they recovered and beat a good team that doesn’t lose game at home very often.
God damnit. What a terrible 3rd Q for the Bucks
3rd q complacency strikes again. Giannis his worst game of the season. Need to get Parker off minutes restriction- they’re better with him on the floor.
Went to the game today and man what a wasted opportunity. The 3Q might have been one of the worst displays of basketball I have seen.
Although, I will say the refs totally sucked in this one including the last possession in regulation that should have given the Bucks a shot prior to OT.
Bucks cut a 14 point halftime deficit to 6- Middleton then turns it over on back to back transition chances, and Giannis gets an offensive foul, then misses a FT. Bledsoe with a transition 3 to cut it to 2, but they should have the lead. Middleton’s such a poor transition player, it’s frustrating.
They have to start playing Parker more. He’s instant offense and honestly more reliable than Middleton
Tschmack posted:They have to start playing Parker more. He’s instant offense and honestly more reliable than Middleton
Parker's defense is a problem though. At least right now.
If they show up to play in the first quarter, they win by 8-10. 26-5 hole to start.
The big long term question now is what to do with Parker. He's one the top 5-10 offensive players the Bucks have ever had. He should probably get the ball at end of games more as he gets his legs back under him.
His closest comparison is probably the Big Dog. Instant offense, great jump shooters, three point range, no defense. Is that worth giving a max contract to when you consider the two knee injuries as well?
I don’t think they really have a choice.
But Baron Davis made a comment last night I thought was interesting... he said the Bucks don’t have an identity because they have so many players with similar skill sets. I don’t know if I agree- maybe that what it looks like, but Giannis and Middleton and Parker and Bledsoe are all quite different (speaking strictly offense).
- Giannis: post game, penetration, and transition
- Middleton: post game and step back/spot up shooter
- Parker: shooting, transition, dribble attack
- Bledsoe: penetration, transition, some spit up shooting
Their biggest issue right now is turnovers. I believe they need to tell Middleton to stop thinking of himself as a ball handler. He’s a turnover machine, and the turnovers (especially at the wrong time) outweigh the successful plays.
These guys are young- they’re still finding their way. But how long can we wait? Should they make a move this off-season involving Middleton? I’m starting to think yes...
They lack a defensive presence without Delladova and Brogdon and it’s been very obvious the last few games. I like Bledsoe and he’s tenacious but he’s 6’1” so can be overpowered or bigger guards can shoot over him.
My concern is the sloppiness lately with ball handling or errant passes. Bledsoe and Middleton in particular have hurt them and since they do not lock down teams defensively nor are the they a good rebounding team they can’t afford to piss away possessions with bad decisions.
Have been saying this for a while regarding Middleton. He's sloppy with his passing and has horrible handles in traffic. Great scorer when he gets it going though.
Seems it's become common with this team to drive and go airborne with no place to go .....often leading to a turnover. This is especially frustrating when the worst offender is your point guard. Bledsoe gets pretty careless with the ball at times. You have to protect the ball better, especially in crunch time.
I love Bledsoe on the D end. He’s tenacious, and has made it so the Bucks don’t get PGed to death all the time.
But Middleton’s calling card was supposed to D, and he’s getting abused regularly. Derozen owns him. Jrue Holiday dropped 36 the other night. They’re moving Bledsoe over to G these guys at times because he’s strong enough to hold up.
His limited athleticism used to be offset by his length, but now it’s become an issue. They need to start thinking about addressing that position as well as the C position.
Holiday had his way with Tony Snell as well. More so than Middleton. Snell and Middleton have underachieved this year.
Bucks getting killed on the glass and turning it over
These back to backs suck. Still not an excuse for how they've looked tonight.
Pistons have almost as many offensive rebounds (20) as the Bucks have total rebounds (25)
12 point 2nd q. No defense in the third. Held them to 44% shooting, but shot 38% themselves. Detroit with 22 o-boards, Bucks 13 turnovers, and that’s all she wrote.