Up until their recent slide, the Milwaukee Bucks had been in the mix for a playoff spot in the Eastern conference.
Back when they were 20-18, the Bucks were in the mix not only for a playoff spot, but a top four seed. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker were playing some of their best basketball of their careers.
Right when they were poised to take off, they took a turn for the worst, dropping 12 of their next 14 games, dipping eight games under .500. Towards the tail end of this horrific stretch, the Bucks learned they would lose one of their best players, Jabari Parker, to a torn ACL.
At that point, Bucks fans didn’t know what to think. Many thought the season was lost, and nothing changed in the first game without Jabari. The Bucks allowed a season-high 47 points in the first quarter against the Lakers. Sometimes teams can’t score that many points in an entire half. They would go on to lose that game, making it their 30th loss of the season.
Milwaukee managed to bounce back after this long, grueling streak of losses. They are riding a three game win streak headed into the all star break with wins over the Pacers, Pistons, and Nets. This win-streak has pulled them back within a game of eighth place-Detroit (27-30).
The Bucks are now 3-1 without Jabari Parker. Michael Beasley and Greg Monroe have both stepped their games up. Jason Kidd has inserted Michael Beasley into the starting lineup alongside Thon Maker in the frontcourt. In wins over the Pistons and Nets, Beasley averaged 18.5 points, three rebounds, and two steals while shooting a ridiculous 77% from the field. Monroe on the other hand averaged 22.3 points (77% FG, 78% FT), 9.7 rebounds, three assists, and two steals across 30.3 minutes over the Bucks’ three game win streak.
First time all-star Giannis Antetokounmpo struggled in the win over Detroit, being held to only eight points on two of nine shooting, but dropped 20 and 33 against the Pacers and Nets respectively.
The return of Khris Middleton unfortunately came at the time of the Jabari Parker injury, but he appears to be back in mid-season form after just a few games. Middleton recorded 20 points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes of action. Middleton was a perfect five of five from the free throw line, with four of those coming in the final seconds to seal the victory over Brooklyn.
We will have to wait eight days to see if Milwaukee can continue their win streak, but in the meantime we will get to see rookie Malcolm Brogdon in the Rising Stars Challenge Friday night, and first time all-star Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 66th all-star game happening Sunday evening.
