Box score/Recap/The Two Man Game

The Bucks got Dirk’d, that much is clear.  You simply cannot allow the Dallas Mavericks to have the last shot.  Dirk Nowitzki is too big and too good of a shooter to stop when the game is on the line.  If he misses, it’s a fluke.  His fade-away is indefensible.

So on one hand it’s a huge disappointment that the Bucks let this one slip away.  Score one for being upset.

But on the other hand, they had no business being in the game anyway.  Milwaukee was down 18 with eight minutes and 11 seconds to go in the third quarter.  Plenty of time was left, but there were few signs of life from a group that followed their worst defensive game of the year with an equally putrid start.

So in some ways it was a minor victory to even have been in the game at the end.  But that’s not the way successful teams look at these types of games.  Successful teams say, “we never should have been in the position to lose this game and then when it was close we should have closed it out.”  And that’s what the Bucks want to be, a successful team. 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…