The Milwaukee Bucks return to the Fiserv Forum tonight and host the Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams are on the latter end of back to backs.
The Bucks come into this one on the back of two huge Eastern Conference wins. Let’s take a look at the game and three things to look out for.
#1: Giannis
Giannis has continued his push for a third MVP award this season and has been on incredible form. On the back of his 44 points against Brooklyn last night, Giannis overtook Kareem Abdul Jabaar as the all time leader in points scored for the Bucks.
Giannis had had two great games against two Eastern Conference rivals in the 76ers and Nets. Against Philly, Giannis recorded a game high 40 points on 16/24 shooting. Along with his 40 points, he added 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks. Although there’s one moment of this game that everyone will remember and it’s in the photo below – Giannis’ game winning block against MVP contender Joel Embiid with 1.6 seconds left in the game.
Last night against Brooklyn, Giannis had 44 points on 14/21 shooting, along with 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Of course, as mentioned, the big talking point in this one was Giannis overtaking Kareem Abdul Jabaar for the Franchise scoring record. Not only did he take sole lead of the record but he done it shooting a drop back 3 pointer to tie the game and take it to overtime.
If the Bucks are to get another win tonight, we will need Giannis to continue his extremely high level of performance and lead the team.
*Edit- since this writing, Giannis has been determined out for the game with knee soreness.
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#2: Keeping The Momentum
It’s no secret that the Bucks have the toughest schedule from the All Star Break to the end of the Regular Season. I for one was pretty apprehensive about that. Not because I doubt the team – check my twitter, I firmly believe the Bucks are repeating this year – but because its a tough way to end the season followed by going into a high pressure environment such as the playoffs where each game comes with it’s own importance.
Luckily for us fans, the team have taken it in their stride. Not only are we getting wins and keeping pace with the rest of the top teams in the East but we are performing well at the same time. The top of the Eastern Conference is the tightest it has been for a long time at this time of the season and at one point, one loss could essentially drop you from first to fourth.
The Bucks most recent games have had that Playoff feel to them. Yes, partly because we were playing Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The intensity from both teams in both games had that Playoff feel and the atmosphere in both the Wells Fargo Centre and Barclays Centre gave off vibes of the intense atmosphere the Bucks can expect if playing either team in the Post Season.
We picked up two huge wins in those road games. Both games were incredibly close and at one point in each, we were down double digits. However we found a way to win. We have found a way to gather momentum at the most important stage of the season. Now it is time to kick on and keep that momentum going and that starts with a win against the Clippers tonight.
#3: Role Players Need To Step Up
Both teams come into this game on the back of over time finishes in their latest matchups. As we know, the Bucks overcame the Nets in Brooklyn but it was a defeat for the Clippers in Chicago on Thursday night.
Back to back games are tough enough on players at the best of times but add in extra periods and physical matchups and players are going to be tired going into this one – they’re athletes, not superhuman. OK, maybe except Giannis.
If the Bucks are to win tonight, we will need our bench to step up. They regularly do – Pat Connaughton has been exceptional this season and now that we have Brook Lopez back, Bobby Portis is back in his role as a bench player and he has been in fine form this season.
Whilst we have guys like pat and Bobby who will get a good chunk of minutes, we also have Jevon Carter who has been a great addition to the Bucks rotation since signing earlier this year. he’s bee a breath of fresh air and exceeded fans expectations thus far in a Bucks uniform.
if our role players can continue to step up, I have no doubt that we can make it 3 wins in a week and pile pressure on the Heat for that 1 seed.
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