The Bucks’ performance with and without point guard Jrue Holiday on the floor is night and day.
They’re winning more games, scoring more points, and allowing fewer on defense when he is healthy and on the court.
Two different teams with and without Holiday
After dropping their match-up against the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 on Monday, the Bucks are now 4-9 on the season without their three-time All-Defensive guard. They are being outscored by an average of 4.1 in these games.
Milwaukee allows an additional 2.2 points per game when Holiday is sitting out, and this lack of defense in the backcourt was rather indicative against the Hawks. Atlanta point guard Trae Young put up 30 points on a 7-17 shooting effort with four rebounds, 11 assists, and one steal.
With this being Holiday’s 13th missed game, the Bucks have reached into their depth chart to fill the vacancy.
Filling the void for Holiday
14-year veteran George Hill typically subs in as the Bucks’ starter during Holiday’s absence, but there is a clear-cut drop in production.
This year has been Holiday’s fourth best for scoring, second best for shooting efficiency, and best for steals. Holiday’s game averages for the season are listed below:
- 18.4 pts
- 49.9 FG%
- 38.2 3PT%
- 4.6 reb
- 6.7 ast
- 1.6 stl
- 0.6 blk
Hill, who has started for Holiday in 12 of his 13 missed games, is second-lowest in scoring, shooting efficiency, and steal average for his career. Hill’s game averages for the season are as follows:
- 6.9 pts
- 43.1 FG%
- 30.6 3PT%
- 3.1 reb
- 2.4 ast
- 0.8 stl
- 0.1 blk
Barring any abrupt roster changes, Hill will continue to fill in for Holiday as he recovers.
Holiday’s injury status looking forward
Holiday has missed the last six games (in which the Bucks have gone 2-4 in) due to a sore ankle. According to CBS.com, his injury status is listed as day-to-day.
Milwaukee isn’t likely to rush their defensive guard back with a little under half of the season yet to go, but they’ll need every bit of his production when he is healthy, as the Bucks currently sit in the No. 5 spot in the Eastern conference.
The next opportunity for the Bucks’ star guard to make an appearance will come on Wednesday at home against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies have won nine of their last 10 games, and if Holiday gets the green light, his likely matchup will be against rising MVP candidate Ja Morant.
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