Jrue Holiday is having a special season.
His defense has long been lauded as among the best in the NBA. He proved that with numerous standout defensive plays in the Bucks’ championship run last year. This year, though, it’s Holiday’s offensive numbers that are eye-popping. His numbers have been outstanding since arriving in Milwaukee.
Doing it all in March
The past few games have particularly highlighted the importance of Jrue to the Bucks. Having that guy to handle the ball so Giannis can screen and get in strong positions on the court. Middleton can get catch-and-shoot opportunities rather than needing to handle the ball late.
All while scoring the rock as well.
Holiday’s offensive rating in Milwaukee is 118.0 this season, which ranks fourth among eligible players. The only reason his offensive rating is lower this season is an increased turnover rate. In his career, he never had an offensive rating over 111.
In March, Holiday has seen his scoring rise with four games scoring over 24 points. It’s not just the scoring numbers in March, which have been very good. Holiday is averaging 20.1 points, but is also averaging 7.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game.
For the year Holiday is averaging 18.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. While impressive, it’s the efficiency that makes Holiday’s season so strong. He is shooting 50.2 percent from the field and over 41 percent from 3.
RANT: How was Jrue Holiday not an all-star??
Fantastic in the fourth
In March, Holiday has done a ton of damage in the fourth quarter. Against Utah Holiday scored 12 points, including seven-straight and the go-ahead basket and scored 17 points against the Suns in the final 12 minutes. Holiday was also fantastic in an improbable comeback win against Miami and hit the game-winning layup with 1.1 seconds left and scored 10 points in the final-five minutes against the Bulls.
Jrue Holiday in the 4th quarter over the last 7 games:
30.1 points per 36
65% FG (20/31)
64% 3P (7/11)
91% FT (10/11)
80% eFG
81% TSBucks 6-1 with four 4th quarter comebacks
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) March 15, 2022
The Bucks were 2-24 in games they trailed by at least five points in the fourth quarter. Now, they’re 6-25 and much of that can be attributed to Holiday.
Jrue Holiday wins it at the death for Milwaukee, as the Bucks pull off a stunning 21-6 run to close the game. pic.twitter.com/Jju9qVrEcG
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 3, 2022
Another one. Jrue Holiday just keeps doing it in big games in the final frame.
vs. UTA: 29 PTS, 7 AST, 5 STL, 12 points in the 4th quarter. https://t.co/EOZyM3Feva
— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) March 15, 2022
Clutch Jrue
Also there have been talks about the Bucks’ issues in clutch games. Injuries have made a consistent lineup hard to come by for the Bucks. But one thing is clear, with Jrue Holiday in the lineup, the Bucks have been good in tight games.
The Bucks are 21-16 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes, 20-9 with Holiday (having outscored their opponents by 29.2 points per 100 clutch possessions with him on the floor) and 1-7 without him.
