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    Home»Sports»Bucks»Three Questions Facing the Bucks’ Second Half of the Season
    Bucks

    Three Questions Facing the Bucks’ Second Half of the Season

    Robin AdamsBy Robin AdamsMarch 8, 2021No Comments4 Mins Read
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    The Milwaukee Bucks are currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference with a 22-14 record.  It has been a roller coaster season for the Bucks, but they are only two games behind the first seed 76ers.  Going into the second half of the 2020-2021 season, though, there are some big questions the Bucks need to answer if they are to finally break through in the playoffs.  We break down three of the biggest questions here.

    Question #1- Can They Fix the Three-Point Defense?

    Milwaukee Bucks: Can they improve upon their three-point defense?

    Last season, the Bucks had the highest-rated defense in the NBA.  Despite that ranking, they struggled to defend the three.  Those struggles have continued into this season in a glaring way.  Currently, Milwaukee has the 19th ranked three point defense, allowing opponents to shoot 37.4% from behind the arc.  Among teams currently ranked in their conference’s top eight seeds, only the Spurs, Hornets, and Raptors have worse three point defenses.

    [pickup_prop id=”4481″]

    The simple fact of the matter is that this three point defense is not good enough to compete for a championship.  When the Bucks were dismissed from the playoffs by the Miami Heat last season, it was in part because of the three point defense.  In that series, the Heat shot 37.3% from behind the arc, an almost identical mark to what the Bucks are giving up this season.  If Coach Budenholzer cannot figure out a defensive scheme that will disrupt opponents’ outside shooting, the Bucks will be watching the Finals from their couches again.

    Question #2- Can Donte DiVincenzo Bounce Back?

    Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo will be playoff X-factor

    Donte DiVincenzo was almost shipped out of Milwaukee in the botched Bogdon Bogdonovich trade this past offseason.  Since then, though, he has been the Bucks’ starting shooting guard, replacing Wes Matthews who signed with the Lakers.

    At the beginning of the season, it looked as if DiVincenzo was going to be a bright spot in the lineup.  He was shooting close to 50% from three and his defense was solid.  However, as the season has gone on, his shooting averages have dropped and dropped and dropped.  Thanks to his hot start, he is still shooting 38.6% from three, which is not bad overall.  However, it keeps trending down and he must stabilize it, if not improve it.  Most glaringly, though, are his inability to finish near the basket and his 63.6 free throw percentage.

    DiVincenzo is a talented player with a high ceiling.  However, if the Bucks are to make it in the playoffs, they need their starting shooting guard to improve his shooting

    Question #3- Will There Be a Late-Season Addition?

    Bucks' Pau Gasol is done for NBA playoffs after foot surgery

    The Bucks’ current roster looks a great deal different than it did last year.  Gone are Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, Robin Lopez, and Wes Matthews.  Added were Bobby Portis, DJ Augustine, Bryn Forbes, Torrey Craig, and Jrue Holiday.

    While the Bucks were unable to add additional free agents due to their proximity to the hard cap, they are getting closer to being able to afford a free agent as the waiver deadline approaches.  The Bucks may be in the market for another center or power forward.  As it stands, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis split time at these two positions.  DJ Wilson plays sometimes, but never in close games.

    Recently, Blake Griffin was bought out by Detroit and signed with Brooklyn.  Perhaps the Bucks will also add a different big man in a similar manner.  It would be nice to have a little depth at the four and five positions once the playoffs begin.

    For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content

    Follow me on Twitter at @theotherAdams14 and follow us @WiscoHeroics1for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!

    bobby portis Brook Lopez Bryn Forbes Donte DiVincenzo Giannis Antetokounpo Jrue Holiday Torrey Craig
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    Robin Adams

    Robin Adams is the co-owner of Wisconsin Sports Heroics. He has been with the site for over two years, working his way up as a Bucks beat writer to covering all of Wisconsin's teams.

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