Earlier in the season, the Milwaukee Bucks went from being one of the presumed Eastern Conference frontrunners to a team with trade rumours being thrown around its star players and potentially towards a complete breakdown. At 2-8 to start the 2024/25 campaign, things certainly weren’t looking good for Giannis Antetokounmpo and co.
Things have certainly turned around as December makes its way through. At the time of writing, the Bucks were back in the top six of the conference and sporting a much-improved .542 win percentage. Plus, the Bucks managed to book a ticket to Las Vegas with a 114-109 win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup.
Some would say it’s time to rejoice and that the Milwaukee train is back on track, ready to contend with the conference frontrunners. Others would fear the hot streak coming to an end, and the Bucks’ frailties being exposed again.
Back in the Upper Bracket
It’s been quite the run of form that’s seen the Milwaukee Bucks get back into the upper bracket of the Eastern Conference. Even at the time of writing, they were riding an 8-2 last-ten record and closing in on the win percentage of the Miami Heat. Yet, it’s easy to see where teams can exploit the Bucks while with the ball.
Perimeter defence has been the most glaring issue for Milwaukee, as it has been for a couple of seasons now. In the run that saw them slip to 2-8, it was all about opponents powering towards the defending guards and, often, requiring the services of Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez to shore up the outside when they’re far more effective in the middle.
Further, in terms of scoring and defence, despite having the talents of Antetokounmpo, Lopez, and Damien Lillard on the court, the Bucks rank distinctly middling. They’re 14th for offence with an average of 113.4 and 13th for stopping points, having allowed an average of 112.3.
Those are some fine margins for a team seeking to go deep in the playoffs. Or, at least, for a team with the stars deserving of a deep playoff run. Still, their comeback has inspired NBA fans across North American to back the Bucks. Even in Canada, with the home team, the Toronto Raptors, struggling amidst the rebuild, it’s the Milwaukee Bucks getting the sly backing in the outright market.
Part of this appeal is in the odds, but even they haven’t been fooled by the good run of form due to the stats that still underline their efforts. Even now, the leading Canadian online sports betting site has the Bucks out as dark horses with long odds of 21/1 – well back of the 2/1 Boston Celtics and 4/1 Oklahoma City Thunder.
Building up Better
The Bucks need more than a strong run of momentum to enhance their postseason hopes. In December, they do have the 15th most favourable schedule, but both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Celtics boast easier runs to the New Year.
The fact that Antetokounmpo and Lillard already combine as the most potent scoring duo in the league while the team is distinctly middling for points only adds fuel to the idea that the team needs reinforcements before the 6 February 2025 deadline.
Some outlets have posited that Khris Middleton, given his injury history and value to teams like the Golden State Warriors, should be traded away to bring in some young depth – particularly to reinforce the wings. Others see the Bucks as one of the potential main clients of the Brooklyn Nets during their fire sale.
We’ll have to see how Milwaukee’s front office reacts as the February deadline edges closer, but the hope for Bucks fans is that they realise that hot streaks also come to an end, and that a boost is needed before the playoffs.
