After blowing out the Portland Trail Blazers last Wednesday 143-100, the Bucks played down to their subsequent competition against Phoenix and San Antonio. Milwaukee’s schedule this week looks easy on paper, but they face teams that have given them a run for their money earlier this season. The Bucks’ defense will need to improve in order to win against sharpshooting competition.
Monday, November 26th @ Charlotte (9-10)
The Bucks squeaked by Charlotte in their first game of the regular season 113-112 on a night that Kemba Walker lit it up for 41 points. Milwaukee started off strong with a 13-point halftime lead, but Charlotte whittled that away during the second half with some small ball and a switching defense that suckered the Bucks out of their new offensive scheme. Ball movement often became stuck and Kemba couldn’t be stopped. Milwaukee has struggled to stop — or at least yield — sharpshooters this season, making this game a battle if a very capable Hornets offense gets going.
Wednesday, November 28th vs. Chicago (5-15)
The last time these two teams squared off, it was a tale of two halves. Chicago’s offense — initially powered by former Buck Jabari Parker — was on fire in the first half, scoring 40 points in the first quarter and ultimately leading by 18 at the break. The Bulls seemed to be in the drivers seat at that point, but the Bucks’ offense woke up in the third, dropping 46 points to take an 11-point advantage heading into the fourth. If not for that third quarter burst, this could have easily been a Bucks loss to a floundering Chicago team. As the Bucks found out against Phoenix last Friday, there are no gimme wins in this league. Milwaukee’s defense needs to play all four quarters to stop the Bulls from getting hot.
Saturday, December 1st @ New York (7-14)
The Bucks bested the Knicks 124-113 back on October 22nd, giving the Bucks their second 7-0 start in franchise history. In that game, the Knicks mounted a third quarter comeback to take a one-point lead into the fourth quarter. Khris Middleton hit seven of eight three-pointers that night, including two down the stretch to seal the victory. New York always gives the Bucks a tough contest, so this is by no means an easy one for a Bucks team that has trouble dominating all four quarters.
