Game 63 Preview: Bucks vs. Celtics

March 9, 2010

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 33-29

Vs.

Boston Celtics (Doc Rivers) 40-21

Date: 3/9/2010

Time: 7:00 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Matchups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Rajon Rondo

Length, quickness, instincts, tenacity, you name it and Rondo has it defensively.  So don’t expect another barrage of open three-point looks and all kinds of fancy hand gestures from Jennings in this one.  Jennings and Rondo are quite a study in contrasts.  Jennings has a steady, if not prolific, outside shot, but thus far in his career has been unable to finish inside in his career.  Rondo on the other hand, is finishing nearly two thirds of his shots at the rim, but shoots threes like a drunk at a carnival.  Rondo’s experience, length and general dominance defensively give him the edge over the Milwaukee rook though.

Advantage: Celtics Read More »

By Jeremy | Posted in Game Previews | Tagged , , , , , | Comment (1)

Game 60 and 61 Previews: Bucks vs/at Wizards

March 3, 2010

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 30-29

Vs. (and then At)

Washington Wizards (Flip Saunders) 21-36

Dates: 3/3/2010 & 3/5/2010

Times: 7:00 (CST) & 6:00 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin & None

Matchups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Randy Foye

A lot has changed since the last time these teams met.  Gone is Gilbert Arenas.  You may have heard about him, he had some problems, a gun was involved.  In as the starter at the point is Randy Foye, an off-season pickup last June, sure to help turn things around for the Wizards in their quest to crack the top four or at least make the playoffs this year.  The best laid plans, right?  Foye’s game is more off ball scorer than ball distributor and he’s been forced back into the role he struggled with his first few years in the league.  Foye had a lot of success in the Wizards last trip to Milwaukee, particularly when Jennings was in the game defending him.  I’d think the Wizards haven’t forgotten this and will allow him to go at Jennings from the get-go in Wednesday’s game.

Advantage: Bucks Read More »

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Game 57 Preview: Bucks at Pacers

February 25, 2010

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 28-28

at

Indiana Pacers (Jim O’Brien) 19-38

Larry Legend has been Lotto Larry for a few years in Indy now.

Larry Legend has been Lotto Larry for a few years in Indy now.

Date: 2/25/2010

Time: 6:00 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Matchups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Earl Watson

Jennings numbers continue to look pedestrian, but his impact is evident in the success his teammates are having.  Five Bucks scored in double figures Wednesday night and three more scored nine points.  If a team doesn’t have a good point guard, it’s difficult to get that kind of even distribution, even in a blowout.  Jennings always keeps the offense running smooth and didn’t record a turnover against New Orleans.  Jennings’ usage is at 26, his assist rate is right around 30 while his turnover rate is only 12.6.  Let me take Deron Williams as an example of where Jennings is having success.  Williams’ numbers in those categories are as follows, 23.6, 42.7 and 17.2.  If just a few more times nightly, Jennings were to hit an open shooter leading to a successful three-point shot, Jennings could conceivably close in on the first two numbers while keeping his turnover number down.  He’s not all that far off from Williams and if he used a few less possessions statistically, as a point guard he’d be in the class directly below Williams.  That doesn’t say anything about his offensive struggles with shooting, which would bring his overall game down a little further.  Bottom line, Jennings has been a VERY good point guard.

Advantage: Bucks Read More »

By Jeremy | Posted in Game Previews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

Game 52 Preview: Bucks vs. Rockets

February 17, 2010

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 24-27

vs.

Houston Rockets (Rick Adelman) 27-25

Date: 2/17/2010

Time: 7:00 PM (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Matchups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Aaron Brooks

Brooks was getting a little bit of buzz as a potential all-star, but that probably had more to do with his team’s surprising record that his all-star like play.  In fact, I’d argue that while Jennings hasn’t shot the ball very well this year, he’s having a better season than Brooks in most regards.  Jennings has a better assist rate (30.9-23.8) and lower turnover rate (12.6-13.8) while using more possessions (26.9-25.6).  Both have limitations defensively, but Jennings has a better overall defensive rating as well.  What really favors Jennings is that he plays a lot of his minutes with Delfino, Mbah a Moute and Bogut, or the Bucks three best defenders.  Brooks limitations are similarly kept in check with Battier, Hayes and Ariza often surrounding him.  As I write this I get the feeling that these teams are much more similar than I realized before, with a few noticeable exceptions.

Advantage: Bucks Read More »

By Jeremy | Posted in Game Previews | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Game 50 Preview: Bucks vs. Pistons

February 8, 2010

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 23-26

Inactives: Michael Redd, Francisco Elson and Joe Alexander

Vs.

Detroit Pistons (John Kuester) 17-32

Probable Inactives: Dajuan Summers and Chris Wilcox

Date: 2/9/2010

Time: 7:00 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Matchups

Point Guard
Brandon Jennings vs. Rodney Stuckey

It couldn’t have been more than a year ago that Stuckey seemed like the future of “Deeeee-trooooooiiiiit Baaaasssskkkkeeeeettttttballllllll”, right?  Now he’s back down to 40 percent shooting with a cast of overpaid role players and aging veterans on the fast track to nowhere.  Is Stuckey really good?  It’s probably too early to say.  He’s had an injury here or there, but he’s playing on a team that’s been beat up and he’s probably been asked to bare too much of the burden for these guys.  He’s getting to the rim a lot (six shots a game) and finishing okay (50 percent) but he hasn’t been able to do anything from anywhere else.  If Stuckey can get his jumper going  from literally anywhere else it’ll make him a much more dangerous player and reinvigorate his career and the Pistons team.  Against Jennings though, Stuckey should be able to penetrate more often than not and knock Jennings out of the way if he’s by him at all. Read More »

By Jeremy | Posted in Game Previews | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)