The Road To Trepidation: Bobcats 87 – Bucks 86
Friday, April 2nd, 2010And things are suddenly not looking so well. But looks can be deceiving.
After ripping apart the league for most of the last month, the Bucks have now dropped two straight devastating road games. Two road losses that have left them dangerously close to dropping down to seventh in the Eastern Conference. These were two road losses that were difficult to swallow. Road losses in which they led each game in the fourth quarter. Two road losses that saw the Bucks shoot themselves in the proverbial foot in those fourth quarters.
Two road losses that make me think they’re closer to where they want to be than we’re realizing right now.
Right now, it’s natural to be in that “this iodine on our wound stings an awful lot” phase after these losses. The wounds are fresh; it’ll take a win over Phoenix or at least wins over Chicago and New Jersey for the stinging to wear off. And don’t get me wrong, I think Milwaukee needs two out of those three at minimum. No matter what, losing more than two or (at most) three games in a row at this time of the year, with the conference so bunched together from five to nine, is unacceptable. But for right now, I’m at least taking solace in the fact that the Bucks actually played well in these last two, all things considered.
I mean, they led both games in the fourth. Execution down the stretch of each game wasn’t strong. In the final two minutes of the Cleveland game, with a two point lead, Milwaukee proceeded to shoot four three-pointers and turn the ball over twice in seven possessions. Not great decision making. In a three minute fourth quarter stretch in Charlotte, Milwaukee turned the ball over on five of six possessions – all while allowing just two points. In addition, Charlotte got three offensive rebounds in the final minute. Again, this wasn’t pretty.
But there’s upside here. This is the Bucks shooting themselves in the foot and that doesn’t happen frequently. Milwaukee ranks fifth in the league in total turnovers and first in offensive rebounds allowed. Is it worth fretting about what ultimately undid Milwaukee in these games when it’s not likely to be their downfall throughout the rest of the regular season and playoffs? I think probably not.
So I’m not getting too upset right now. I’m just going to blow on my wound and hope the stinging stops. (more…)
Game 75 Preview: Bucks at Bobcats
Friday, April 2nd, 2010Work beckons, so a quickie preview today.
Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 41-33
At
Charlotte Bobcats (Larry Brown) 39-35
Date: 4/2/2010
Time: 6:00 (CST)
TV: FS Wisconsin
Matchups
Point Guard
Brandon Jennings vs. Ray Felton
Shooting Guard
John Salmons vs. Stephen Jackson
Small Forward
Carlos Delfino (maybe still Charlie Bell) vs. Gerald Wallace
Power Forward
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute vs. Boris Diaw
Center
Andrew Bogut vs. Theo Ratliff
Bench
Stack, Ridnour, Kurt Thomas and The Ersanator
Vs.
Tyson Chandler, Larry Hughes Errant Jumpshot, Ty Thomas and Stephen Graham
Prediction: Milwaukee 93 – Charlotte 87
Charlotte is really good at home, really really good at home. But so was Cleveland and the Bucks nearly pulled that one out. This can be done, but Milwaukee will need to execute the hell out of their offense. Bogut has got to be the focus this evening, as Theo Ratliff and Tyson Chandler aren’t really going to be able to handle him. Don’t be shocked if Jennings struggles again, or if Skiles rides him anyway.
This may be one of the uglier games you’ll see this year if these teams are really on their game; the Bucks rank 4th in defensive rating, while the Bobcats lead the league. That being said, it’ll likely come down to whoever is taking care of the ball and making the most of their possessions on offense.
A Look At Scheduling and the Competition
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010Four teams will be battling for three playoff spots in the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
| Teams | Games Left (Home/Away) | Win % of OPNTS March | Win % of OPNTS April | Tiebreakers | Games left against competition | Conference Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | 27 (15/12) | .516 (434-407) | .503 (225-222) | 2-1 (Bulls) 1 to play 2-1 (Charlotte) 1 to play 2-0 (Miami) 2 to play | 4 | 19-14 |
| Miami Heat | 24 (14/10) | .483 (404-432) | .308 (122-273) | 0-2 (Milwaukee) 2 to play 1-1 (Chicago) 2 to play 0-2 (Charlotte) 2 to play | 6 | 18-15 |
| Chicago Bulls | 26 (15/11) | .529 (450-400) | .489 (217-227) | 1-2 (Milwaukee) 1 to play 1-1 (Miami) 2 to play 1-1 (Charlotte) 2 to play | 5 | 18-16 |
| Charlotte Bobcats | 27 (14/13) | .489 (466-487) | .454 (202-243) | 1-2 (Milwaukee) 1 to play 2-0 (Miami) 2 to play 1-1 (Chicago) 2 to play | 5 | 17-18 |
Looking at the remaining schedules, it appears if Miami can keep it together long enough, they have a good chance to make some noise come April. With as soft a schedule as a team could ever ask for in the final month of the season, Miami will have ample room for upward mobility. Of course, they lost to Minnesota last night, so take nothing for granted. Their success largely depends on the health of Dwyane Wade. Wade missed Tuesday’s game in Minnesota, but will likely be back on Saturday for an important game with the Bucks.
Miami also has the most games remaining against the other three teams, with three games each. The Bucks only have four such games left, but hold the series lead against all three teams and the Bucks currently have the best division record too. Those records may factor into whether or not the Bucks get in, so they have some meaning.
If two of the teams tie, the tiebreakers go as such:
1. Head to head records. Whoever has won the series between the two teams gets to keep playing.
2. If they have tied the season series AND are in the same division, then division record takes precedence. This applies to only the Bucks and Bulls.
3. After division it comes down to whichever team has a better record against teams in conference.
For more info about multiple team ties, head over to this playoff tiebreaker explanation.
Bucks Regain Mojo and Gain Offense: Bucks 93 – Bobcats 88
Sunday, February 21st, 2010Q. What makes for a very good NBA offense?
A. A versatile offense capable of driving to the basket, hitting outside shots or tossing it down low to their big-time center – also known as Saturday night’s version of the Milwaukee Bucks (save for the 40 percent shooting).
Earlier this season I resigned myself to the fact that I’d spend the majority of the year watching the Bucks launch difficult jump-shots, occasionally open threes and rarely driving to the hoop if Andrew Bogut didn’t have it going or couldn’t get a good look. I never felt great about it, but hoped the Bucks tenacious defense would at least keep them in games long enough for them to get hot at some point and win. After all, 48 minutes of defense in the NBA will get a team a lot of wins. At this point, it’s starting to look like a few variables have been added to the mix that could drastically alter the course of the Bucks offense going forward.
Variable one is easy enough to figure out: John Salmons. In two games Salmons has shown more attack moves and signs of being the perfect “drive” player in a “drive and kick” game that gets other Bucks open shots (seven assists and five rebounds on Saturday to go with his 19 points!). In addition, he’s a capable three-point shooter, has the size to finish on the break and has shot more free-throws in two games than other Bucks two guards did in the four games previous.
Variable two: The Brandon Jennings Roller Coaster. Jennings has had his ups and downs well documented. He’s learning the pro game and isn’t just playing for this season. With that being said, Jennings is going to have some pretty good games the rest of the way, perhaps not as frequently as he did in the first couple weeks, but he will have some and when they happen they’ll be a significant boost to the Bucks offense. It’s impossible to tell when Jennings’ shooting touch will show up, but that’s just part of the excitement in following the rook. Here’s to the ups. (more…)
A Charlotte Shake-up: Bobcats 94 – Bucks 84
Monday, December 28th, 2009The most bizarre thing about the second half for the Bucks was that it took so long to happen. I mean, we all know Michael Redd has been playing for appearances sake and with the hope that he’ll magically find his game and improve his trade value. He certainly hasn’t been playing because he’s been doing so well, but everyone assumed the Bucks were stuck playing him, through thick and thin. Then the Bucks-Bobcats first half happened.
It’s not often you’ll see a coach more at a loss for words and explanations than Kelvin Sampson was when he tried to explain what happened in the first half for the Milwaukee Bucks. After looking off in the distance (possibly for someone who could figure out why the Bucks are playing so poorly) Sampson said something to the effect of, “Basketball is a simple game. You just need to make your shots when you’re open. We’re getting good looks, wide-open looks, and not hitting them.”
Sampson looked fed up and it’s logical to assume Scott Skiles was fed up too judging from his second half strategy. The Bucks started the third with Brandon Jennings, Jodie Meeks, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Ersan Ilyasova and Kurt Thomas. The first man off the bench? Francisco Elson. I’d say Skiles wasn’t so thrilled with his starters, as Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut and Carlos Delfino didn’t see one second of action in the second half.
And when his team is down 22 at half to a mediocre team, how can you disagree with his moves? (more…)
