The Milwaukee Bucks suffered another loss to the Phoenix Suns under the Doc Rivers regime last night, 114-106. Bucks fans were extremely unhappy with the performance as they now fall to 1-4 since they changed head coaches. Although the score was very close for most of the game, the Bucks failed to do two things against the Suns.
The Milwaukee Bucks Couldn’t Hit Their Shots
Although the Bucks were missing two key players, Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez, last night, the game was back and forth. Khris Middleton had to leave the game early due to an awkward landing on Kevin Durant‘s foot after a jumper, which affected their ability to shoot outside. The Bucks shot 39-90 with a 43.3% field goal percentage. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns shot 44-87 at a 50.6% field goal percentage.
The story is different from outside the arc. Milwaukee shot 13-40 at 32.5% from the 3-ball. Phoenix shot 8-28 at 28.6% from beyond the arc. So, what is the other thing the Bucks failed to do in last night’s game? The game was very defensive, considering these two teams are loaded with offensive firepower.
They Couldn’t Protect The Ball
In such a close defensive battle, turnovers are highly influenced by a lack of offensive consistency and whoever has a better defense. Although both teams struggled differently in their offensive game plans, they gave up too many points off turnovers. The Bucks averaged 12.9 turnovers per game this season and had 13 last night. However, the Suns got 23 points off turnovers compared to Milwaukee’s 16 points.
This is a different scenario where fans can’t entirely blame the Bucks for losing their defense. The objective of basketball is to put the ball in the hoop more than the other team, plain and simple. Yet, defense wins championships. They had ten steals and four blocks compared to the Suns, who had five steals and eight blocks. Phoenix also outrebounded Milwaukee 49-44 in the game.
They will try to prevent a three-game losing skid against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday at a home game. The Minnesota Timberwolves have proved doubters wrong by going the “twin towers” route with Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert. Throughout the season, they have been one of the best teams in the league. If Milwaukee can force turnovers on the Timberwolves, they can win. The Timberwolves are one of the most turnover-prone teams in the league, averaging fifteen turnovers per game this season. Last season, the Timberwolves averaged 15.3 turnovers per game.
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