Box Score/Recap/Enemy

Looking for more reasons to dislike Kevin Garnett, Bucks fans?

Almost universally, Bucks fans are bummed out after an incredibly hard fought, intense 105-102 overtime loss for the Bucks on Wednesday night.  And with good reason.  Some will say it was the refs fault, some will question a few decisions by the Bucks near the end of the game and some won’t be able to utter Kevin Garnett’s name without a swear word in the sentence for the next few days.  There are a number of things to be upset with after a loss like this.

Yet, I urge everyone to do their best to put on a happy face once again, because if this game is any indication, the Bucks are back.  Or at least close.

This was a squad that bore no resemblance (at least after the first quarter) to the group that limped into Boston 1-3.  Milwaukee got contributions from all over the roster in ways big and small Wednesday night and looked a lot more like the team many thought they were heading into the season.  The Bucks hung tough on the second night of a back-to-back against last year’s Eastern Conference champion and are probably feeling confident in themselves as a group for the first time all year.

Maybe it won’t go down as a victory in the record books, but does that really matter all that much here in the fifth game of the regular season?  The Bucks aren’t jockeying for position right now, they are simply trying to get a lot of players on a lot of different pages all to focus on the same few words.  In that regard, the Bucks looked successful Wednesday night.

Calls that could have gone one way or the other, Andrew Bogut’s early struggles, John Salmons slump extension (another dead legged 3-10 shooting night) and a three-point loss that set the Bucks back to 1-4?  Those are all small scale things.  Games decided by one possession can go either way in the NBA.  The better teams blow out the bad squads and eek out tight games on the road against other good teams.  Milwaukee’s getting there, they just aren’t completely there yet.  The big picture is that the Bucks were able to get rolling and can take some good feelings with them on the flight from Boston to Indiana.

Of course, all is lost again if they don’t show up against the Pacers on Friday night.  For now, I’m confident they will. Read more…

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 1-3
Inactive: Chris Douglas Roberts, Michael Redd, Darington Hobson

vs

Boston Celtics (Doc Rivers) 3-1
Inactive: Kendrick Perkins, Luke Harangody, Delonte West

Date: 11/03/2010
Game Time: 7:00 PM (CST)
TV: ESPN/FS Wisconsin

The Other Guys: Celtics Hub

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Rajon Rondo

Rondo is one of the worst outside shooting point guards you’ll ever see, but incredibly effective off the dribble.  With his array of shots, he’s pretty much unguardable if he gets in the paint.  His length, quickness and aggressiveness will give Jennings problems on the offensive end too.  Rondo plays with a real chip on his shoulder and seems like he’s out to prove that he’s the best point guard in the league every night.  With games of 17, 24 and 17 assists under his belt this year, it’s getting harder and harder to argue that he isn’t.  Jennings shot very poorly again against the Blazers, but didn’t force much.  So long as his 3-point shot is unreliable though, Milwaukee will struggle.  They don’t have enough outside shooters to absorb his inconsistencies.

Advantage: Celtics Read more…

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…

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 9-10

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

at

Boston Celtics (Doc Rivers) 16-4

(Likely) Inactives: Glen Davis, Marquis Daniels and Tony Allen

Date: 12/8/2009

Game time: 6:30 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Match-Ups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Rajon Rondo

Rondo is one of those point guards who doesn’t shoot very well, only it doesn’t matter because he’s so freaking good.  He’s nearly as quick as anyone in the league and has terrific size and athleticism for a point guard.  He takes over half of his shots at the time and hits 69 percent of them.  That’s a recipe for disaster for the Bucks defense … unless they can foul him before he finishes.  When I say Rondo can’t shoot, it really is clear when you take a look at his free throw percentage.  A career 62 percent shooter, Rondo is down to 40.6 this year.  For a point guard!  Some how he’s only shooting a touch over one per game despite taking it to the rack being his preferred offense.  After passing to Allen and KG that is.  It will be a tough night for Brandon Jennings, as Rondo is also the league leader in steals per game at 2.5.

Advantage: Celtics Read more…