We’ve pretty much been banging on the same drum this whole season. Defense has been the Achilles heel for the Milwaukee Bucks, and this is something they will need to work on if they want to go far and deep into the postseason this year.
In their defense, the Bucks have improved significantly in this area over the course of the campaign. This was on full display yet again on Friday night in their 119-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Damian Lillard Speaks Out on Milwaukee Bucks’ Defensive Improvements
The Bucks did not exactly put up a defensive masterclass on Friday night, but they were able to hold down their opponents to just 21 points in the third quarter to pull away from the game. It was still their offense that carried them through, though, as they dropped 40 points on the Cavs in that same quarter to take control of the game.
After the win, Damian Lillard (31 points, four assists) sounded off on his team’s defensive improvements of late. According to the seven-time All-Star, it’s all about being on the same page.
“Just our togetherness,” he said. “In this league, guys are too good at everything. Guys can create off the bounce, shoot threes, get fouled, you know, craftiness.
“It’s a team thing. You gotta be on a string — five guys. And I thought that was where we made the biggest improvement. We did things together, our communication, getting to spots and supporting each other. We did that much more consistent in the second half.”
Damian Lillard scored 24 of his 31 points in the second half to help lift the @Bucks over the Cavs. @MelanieBRicks caught up with Lillard after the win. #FearTheDeer | #NBA pic.twitter.com/WJuoaIBcD7
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) December 30, 2023
The Bucks also held Cleveland to an appalling 6-of-43 (14.0 percent) shooting from beyond the arc on Friday. Although to be honest, this was more of the Cavs just failing to find the bottom of the net as opposed to Milwaukee’s elite defense.
Either way, there’s no denying that the Bucks have been making significant progress on their defense. They’re still a work in progress, but it appears that they’re getting there.
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