Shooting Is the Key For The Milwaukee Bucks

By: Melo Williams 

The Milwaukee Bucks (45-17) won their 16th consecutive game Wednesday night beating the Orlando Magic 139 to 117 at the Fiserv Forum. That is tied for the third-longest streak in franchise history matching a run by the 1970-71 team. The team record is 20 straight wins that were also set in the 1970-71 season.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ 16-game-win streak started on January 23 to current. The Bucks finished off January strong and have continued through February going undefeated.

Coming off from All-Star break layover #FearTheDeer has come out running like a gazelle with fresh legs. The Bucks have the best record in the league with a half-game lead over the Boston Celtics.

SCORING AND SHOOTING

The Milwaukee Bucks with rested legs are not only showing their defensive prowess, but Milwaukee is also shooting lights out after the all-star break.

Against the Orlando Magic, the Milwaukee Bucks did damage at the three-point line knocking down 26 3’s second most in franchise history. The Bucks had six different players hit at least three 3-pointers.

Milwaukee led by 10 at halftime then came out in the second half and asserted themselves offensively by outscoring the Magic by 12 points in the second half.

All five starters were in double figures. In 28 minutes Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points seven rebounds and six assists. Jrue Holiday scored 23 points, Brook Lopez added 18 points. Seasoned vet, Joe Ingle’s impact off the bench with 16 points is the impact the bucks hope he can continuously provide making a run for the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Providing the veteran leadership and playoff experience that Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder bring, make the Bucks a legit 10-deep rotation of quality starters on any team in the NBA. Out of the ten players in that rotation 4 of them can be first-team all-defense, while the other six are exceptional defenders themselves. I must give Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer credit for his in-game adjustments. In the past, I felt he did a poor job with situational adjustments.

Against the Brooklyn Nets in the second half the Bucks got back in the game on the back of Giannis and it opened up the floor for the Bucks shooters and they answered the call getting Milwaukee back in the game.

Against the Nets, Milwaukee got 56 points between Khris Middleton (18) Jrue Holiday (14) and Brooke Lopez (13) combined for 27 points total and Jevon Carter scored 11 points off the bench. Milwaukee outscored Brooklyn 39-23 in the third quarter and 66-42 in the second half.

Another example of how clutch Buck’s shooting has been against the Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee played without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a right quad contusion. Milwaukee rallied back in the game behind their shooting after Jae Crowder hit a pair of three-pointers. With a three by Jrue Holiday, then the go-ahead score from Brook Lopez, the Bucks secured their at that time 14th straight win.

As a team, Milwaukee is shooting 47.9% 2PT% 37.7% 3PT%

PLAYER STATS:
Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.3 PPG 12.0 RPG 5.4 APG 54% 2PT%
Khris Middleton 13.6 PPG 4.2 RPG 4.2 APG 42.4% 2PT%
Jrue Holiday 19.8 PPG 5.1 RPG 7.2 APG 47.2% 2PT%
Brook Lopez 14.7 PPG 6.6 RPG 1.2 APG 51% 2PT%
Grayson Allen 10.5 PPG 3.4 RPG 2.4 APG 44.2 2PT%
Bobby Portis 14.0 PPG 9.8 RPG 1.7 APG 49 2PT%

FUN FACTS:
There have been 31 winning streaks of 16 games or more in NBA history. The Bucks are responsible for 5 of the 31.

In the last five seasons, the Bucks have three 16+ game win streaks.
2019-20 (18 games)
2021-22 (18 games)
2022-23 (16 games current)

OTHER NEWS:

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry has reached an agreement to sell his stake in the Bucks to American businessman and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Haslam Sports Group for a $3.5 billion valuation.

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