The 2023–2024 NBA season is about to approach its home stretch for the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee has a 46-26 record as of right now, two games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second spot in the Eastern Conference. But after losing to the Lakers last night, the club may not have home court advantage for the duration of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The season for the Milwaukee Bucks has been up and down. So Far
The Milwaukee Bucks’ season has been somewhat dramatic thus far. The season began with the Bucks winning 24 of their first 32 games. But the Bucks created news just before All Star Weekend began when they fired head coach Adrian Griffin and hired Doc Rivers in his place. Eight of Rivers’ first twelve games as the head coach of the Bucks ended in defeat. Rivers was the 2008 NBA champion while leading the Boston Celtics. But the Bucks have started to resemble the club that most people thought would be a title contender at the start of the season in recent weeks.
The Eastern Conference #1 seed is firmly in the Boston Celtics’ grasp.
Even though Milwaukee has been playing well lately, there is currently a new team leading the Eastern Conference. With an 11-game advantage over the Bucks, the Boston Celtics, who have been by far the most dominant club throughout the NBA regular season, are currently sporting a 57-15 win/loss record. Star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are mostly responsible for Boston’s success, but they should also be commended for the output they have been able to get from the rest of their squad.
The 2023 free agent signing Kristaps Porzingis is presently averaging more than 20 points and nearly 7 rebounds per game. The Celtics’ guards Derrick White and Jrue Holiday have also performed admirably, taking up the slack when Tatum and Brown can’t. The Bucks, on the other hand, haven’t been as fortunate to benefit as much from their bench.
Against the Lakers, the Bucks’ roster flaws were exposed.
As of right now, the Bucks have no third scoring option. Star player Giannis Antetokounmpo serves as the foundation of the entire offense, with recently acquired Damien Lillard serving as the facilitator. But unlike Boston, they don’t have a legitimate third scoring option in their offense. While players like Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and Khris Middleton have all shown promise, none of them have been able to provide the Bucks with a steady enough output to make the team feel confident about their chances when Giannis and Lillard are either sidelined or not playing at their best.
The Bucks’ shortcomings were on full display in their 2OT loss to the Lakers on Tuesday night. Antetokounmpo and Lillard both had excellent games, scoring 56 points apiece with 19 assists and 26 rebounds. But Lillard only made 3–14 shots from beyond the 3-point line, while the rest of the team failed to deliver a significant performance when the Bucks’ players most needed it. Even though Malik Beasley scored 21 points and contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds, it was insufficient.
With a roster full of excellent players, the Bucks are the second-seeded team in the Eastern Conference for good reason. Nevertheless, the absence of a reliable third option and an uneven supporting group have forced the Bucks to rely on a philosophy known as “supporting cast by committee,” which has gained significant traction since Doc Rivers became head coach.
Milwaukee’s studs are so talented that the team is ready for a lengthy playoff run that could result in another championship for Giannis and company. But before they can reach their greatest potential, they have to figure out how to quickly and consistently obtain good play from their supporting group in order to be able to compete with Boston in the postseason.