Recap/Box Score

I’ve been told I’m turning into a negative person.

My gut reaction is to feel bad about the Bucks one point heartbreaker of a loss.  I want to complain about the tough shots Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry hit on a regular basis, as I wonder why the Bucks can’t seem to ever find guys to hit those same shots.  I want to question the decision making of the Bucks rookie point guard down the stretch and rue the coaching staff for not letting the better shooter handle the ball when it was clear shots would need to be made.  I want to be a little bitter about the whole experience and that’s what a negative person would do.

Yet I find myself incapable of performing in that role.  I just feel too good about the whole thing to let any negativity interfere.  Sure, some things could have been done better and the Bucks could have come out with a win.  But when Milwaukee can head out on the road into the Western Conference and play a division leader to a virtual standstill it’s hard for me to feel very empty.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Bogut's play may or may not have been inspiried by the Rum Rebellion on this Australia Day

The Bucks gave Dallas their very best shot – literally.  The 53.3 percent Milwaukee shot in this one was as good a performance as they’ve had on the road all year.  A lot of that had to do with Andrew Bogut’s all-starish 13-14 (6-8 from the stripe) for a career high 32 point performance.

Bogut was matching the superstar Dirk shot for shot in the fourth quarter.  So what was it that allowed the Mavericks to prevail if Bogut was a pseudo-superstar in this one?  Well when the Bucks would have to send double teams over at Dirk, he was able to kick out to guards that combined to shoot 10-16 on threes.  Bogut was skipping it around to guards that finished the night 4-11 on their own three-point shots.  Having a superstar is one thing; having everyone else step up to the plate to make their shots is another. Read more…

Dallas Mavericks (Rick Carlisle) 6-3

(Likely) Inactives: Josh Howard, Tim Thomas and Shawne Williams

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Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 5-2

(Likely) Inactives: Joe Alexander, Francisco Elson and Michael Redd

Game time: 7:00 (Cnt)

TV: NBA TV

Match-ups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Jason Kidd

Scott Skiles said after Jennings’ incredible 55 point game one of the first things he told Jennings after the game was, “Congratulations.  Now go home, you get Jason Kidd on Monday.”  While it may sound terrifying to have to play against Jason Kidd, the reality at this point is much different.  Kidd is essentially a spot up shooter with a high basketball IQ and average defensive ability.  His foot speed as eroded to the point that if he guards Jennings at all before the last few possessions of the game I’ll be surprised.  Yes, Kidd can still ignite and lead a fast break with the best of them.  And he can still run the pick and roll or find Dirk in rhythm.  But his main purpose in the half court offense Dallas runs is to camp outside the three point arc and wait for Dirk to kick it out.  Kidd’s shooting six shots per game, with roughly four of them being three point attempts.  If a body is on him he won’t hurt the Bucks too bad in the half court.  But if the Bucks are missing shots and the Mavs can grab rebounds, Kidd can be a very valuable conductor of the fast break.  Sometimes offense is the most affective neutralizer a defense can have.

Advantage: Bucks Read more…