One could try to describe the beat down the Milwaukee Bucks planted on the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday night. They would talk about shooting 53.9% and 8-17 from three. They would probably also note the defensive efficiency the Bucks brought, most notably from the bench. They would most certainly mention that the Bucks tossed 32 assists (on 41 made shots!!).
But what really sums up this game is the fact that Nate Wolters entered the game to start the second quarter.
Thanks to a 17-2 run to end the 1st quarter the Bucks took a 27-11 lead into the second. The Bucks scored on 5 consecutive possessions, including 2 three pointers (one from Mayo and Middleton) to end the quarter.
Meanwhile the 76ers looked like a bumbling band of buffoons. They played complacent defense, jogging to shooters instead of closing out, they shot a horrific 30.1%, and they only made 2 three pointers (out of 25!!) good for 8%.
Like the game against the Knicks last week this was the sort of performance that inspires confidence in the idea the Bucks are a quality team instead of overachievers.
In order to be considered a good team you must put a stranglehold on weaker opponents right out of the gates. We saw plenty of that in Milwaukee last season. Plenty. We also learned that if you give a young team hope they often remain pesky the entire way. Stomp the fire out early. And the Milwaukee Bucks did just that
Zaza Pachulia (11p/12r/7a) got the scoring started right off the bat with a vintage Zaza-esque mid range jumper 18 seconds into the game.
You get the sense that after seeing that sort of shot go in, at such a critical juncture in a tight game that the 76ers deflated. “Welp, there goes that one,” the players seemed to say after getting buried in a 2-0 hole.
Brandon Knight’s (18p/3r/5a) uncontested layup on the Bucks next possession was the proverbial dagger. There would be no chance for the 76ers to dig themselves out of a 4-0 hole. Warm up the busses, fire up the grille–the players are sure to be hungry after such a crushing defeat.
All joking aside the 76ers actually managed to reduce that towering 4 point lead to 1 twice…that is…before O.J. Mayo (15p/4r/6a) came off the bench and blew the game wide open with 5 quick points.
The Bucks would eventually take a 27 point lead amid 76ers turnovers, good Bucks shooting, and of course–a virtuoso (6-6) shooting performance from Jerryd Bayless.
The end result was a 97-77 Milwaukee Bucks victory–a final score that would have been wider had the Bucks asserted themselves for 48 minutes instead of tossing alley-oop attempts and choking out the 76ers with their overpowering defense.
At least Giannis Antetokounmpo managed to fill his nightly highlight quota while the game was still interesting.
Three Observations
- Hidden amid the lopsided score was the fact that the Bucks committed many of their usual sins. They turned the ball over 24 times–8 more times than their average of 16.3 (28th in the league). They allowed 15 offensive rebounds. And they allowed the 76ers to reach the free throw line 29 times. If the 76ers weren’t the 76ers the Bucks would have had a much tighter contest on their hands. Thankfully, the 76ers remain themselves.
- Khris Middleton turned in another strong performance as the starting SG. He scored 18 points on 7-9 shooting (including 2-2 from three) while grabbing 3 rebounds, tossing 3 assists, and taking 5 (yes FIVE) steals. Middleton’s ability to shoot the three pointer in the starting lineup (he’s .406 on the season) and propensity to light it up at the drop of a hat bolsters his standing as the Buck’s strongest SG option. I would like to see Middleton pass more within the offense (he averages 1.6 per game) instead of attempting to create for himself. There’s a tendency for offensive possessions to end once Middleton touches the ball. If he can learn to better integrate himself into the offense one could begin to make the long-term argument for Khris Middleton’s cornerstone status.
- How fun has Jerryd Bayless been this season? The answer is very. All season Bayless has brought a steady veteran hand to the Bucks bench. And that floater in the lane is a thing of beauty. Against the 76ers Bayless was a perfect 6-6 en route to 12 points. He was also the beneficiary of this excellent Nate Wolters pass. Recently, he reopened his personal blog where he describes his early experiences with Milwaukee. You can find it HERE.
Looking Ahead
The Bucks are treated to another sub-6 win team Friday night when they host the 5-29 Minnesota Timberwolves at the Bradley Center Friday night. The T-Wolves have won 1 game in their last 19 contests and are perhaps worse off for talent than the 76ers (yikes).
Anthony Bennett has been a disappointment and their leading scorer Kevin Martin could still be out with a hand injury. If that’s the case expect to see a healthy dose of Andrew Wiggins who despite all his physical gifts is not capable of carrying a team. Not yet anyway.
If the Bucks starters don’t get it done like they did tonight then the bench will. Look for the Bucks to run to another relatively easy win before their tune-up against the Chicago Bulls Saturday night.
Bango Crossing 