There is a scoring surge in the NBA. A record number of players are averaging 30+ points this season including Giannis Antetokounmpo. Some of this is due to a couple of new rules that are meant to help offensive players. However, in general, there is an abundance of talented scorers in the NBA right now. Despite all of the scoring, the Bucks’ defense has remained elite.
Bucks starting five have held opponents to 95.3 points every 100 possessions.
That’s a better defensive rating than the 2003-04 Pistons. pic.twitter.com/oO40ezRYyH
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 2, 2022
The Bucks’ Have An Elite Defense
The starting five for the Milwaukee Bucks have been locking teams down this season. They are holding opponents to 95.3 points every 100 possessions. In today’s NBA this is unheard of. The Detroit Pistons of 2003-04 have long been the defensive standard of the NBA. This team completely shut down teams holding them under 100 points consistently. The Bucks starting five points per possession is better than those Pistons teams. The Bucks are playing in a different era than that team. More rules have been made to help players score more easily. For the Bucks to still be at this level of defense shows how elite they are.
Can The Offense Match The Defense?
There have been zero concerns about the defense. The offense has hit some dry spells here and there which has led to some struggles. Khris Middleton will help in his return but ultimately all players have to step up their game. The Bucks are talented enough that they can have a top 5 defense and a top 5 offense. It is also likely that the Bucks make a midseason trade of some sort. This might be an opportunity to add some scoring.
This is elite defense that the Bucks are playing. Having a high-scoring offense is great but once the playoffs roll around, you need the defense to make big stops. Bucks fans should feel good about the team’s playoff chances when they have this kind of defense.
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