50th Win

[mufan2003]

Bucks nation after last night's loss to the Celtics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFeVfwDvTyM

Some thoughts:

(1) Easy to chalk it up to being the back end of a back-to-back......5 games in 7 days. However.....Middleton, Crowder, Ingles did not play the night before in Indiana.

(2) In the 3 games against the Celtics this season, the Bucks have allowed Boston to make 17, 19 and 22 from beyond the arc. Credit the Bucks, they are up to 5th in limiting opponents' 3FG%. However, as has been a consistent theme going back to last year, they play far too off their man when it comes to the Celtics. Going under screens, no hand up, just hoping their percentages come down as the game progresses. This is on Bud and the coaching staff to hammer home. Too much height, length and quality defenders on Milwaukee to accept such a subpar defensive effort and defensive mentality.

(3) Giannis has to go to more in his bag other than dunks/layups against Boston. Needs to relax a bit.....receive the ball in the wide post, free throw line, elbow. Going downhill 150mph, against Boston, becomes pointless. There will be those moments (in transition), but not against a set, half-court defense.

(4) Need guys to make shots beyond the arc against the Celtics. Milwaukee is a good 3-point shooting team, but always seem to be less than stellar against Boston. Credit Boston's defense for some of it, but some of it seems mental. Shoot it with confidence.

(5) The Bucks are deep, take advantage of it by playing high pressure defense every possession, there are enough guys to rotate and stay fresh. One three by Tatum, Giannis is bending over with no hand up. When you are 7'0" with all of that length, don't make yourself smaller.

(6) Bucks need to respond against Philly and still do everything possible to wrap up the #1 seed. 5 games left, cannot tie with Boston.

(7) If there is any positive to the blowout loss......it motivates and reminds the Bucks how dialed in they need to be when facing Boston. It exposed all of the issues the Bucks have against the Celtics, and yet it was only one regular season loss. It is on the coaches and players to adjust accordingly and be much better should they face each other in the playoffs. The effort level and physicality displayed last night clearly won't cut it.