As the Milwaukee Bucks gear for the 2024 NBA Playoffs, head coach Doc Rivers and three-time All-Star Khris Middleton made sure to emphasize that their focus is on bringing their best foot forward and winning–whatever that may take.
The Bucks are going to face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs, which is a massive ordeal considering their recent history.
Doc Rivers, Khris Middleton Speak on Milwaukee Bucks’ Playoff Preparation
After their shock loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Middleton highlighted that they will learn from their past and recent mistakes and make sure to correct them come the playoffs. While many see the postseason as some sort of a new season, Middleton understands that it doesn’t mean they can simply overlook it.
Considering that the Bucks have lost eight of their last 11 games to finish the season, Middleton knows very well that they cannot simply ignore how they have been performing. At the end of the day, they need to find solutions and make sure to address their problems.
“It’s a new season with the postseason, but at the same time, you don’t want to leave in the past,” Middleton said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “You want to look at those games and look at what went wrong and try to correct those (mistakes).”
As for Rivers, who lamented the Bucks’ major weakness when it comes to their iso plays, he promised to “work hard” and prepare themselves physically and mentally for the challenge that awaits.
He highlighted that resting is part of the preparation, especially amid the recent injury woes that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard suffered. But that doesn’t mean they are being complacent when it comes to their preparation for the postseason.
As the old adage goes, in every war, rest is a weapon, so they are going to use it well.
“We’re going to work hard. We need work, but we’re also going to get some rest because we might not be playing until Sunday. And if that’s true, we’ll have a lot of prep time,” Rivers shared.
The Bucks are certainly facing a lot of uncertainties heading to the playoffs, especially with Antetokounmpo’s injury and their ugly stretch. Clearly, though, Rivers, Middleton and the rest of the team are in a good place mentally and are well aware of where their focus should be.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers in NBA Playoffs
There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks’ game against the Indiana Pacers, and for good reason. These two are heated rivals with already plenty of history built throughout the 2023-24 season.
Milwaukee and Indiana hate each other, as proven by all the jawing they did in the past and the physicality they show whenever they meet.
The problem for Milwaukee is that Indiana has gotten the better of them, going 4-1 in the five meetings they had this 2023-24. With that being said, the pressure is on the Bucks to prove that they are a much better team than what the Pacers manhandled for a good part of the campaign.
The 2024 NBA Playoffs battle between these two teams start Sunday, so mark your calendars, Milwaukee.
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