|
|
vs. |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2-2 | 4-0 |
|
| July 16, 2009 - 3:00 PM CT |
||
| Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas |
||
| TV: NBA.com Stream | ||
|
Probable starters: |
||
|
Roko Ukic |
PG |
Brandon Jennings |
|
DeMar DeRozan |
SG |
Jodie Meeks |
|
Demetris Nichols |
SF | Luc Richard Mbah a Moute |
| Ekene Ibekwe |
PF |
Joe Alexander |
|
Patrick O'Bryant |
C | Amir Johnson |
- DeRozan/Meeks. The ninth overall is the obvious guy to watch for the Raps, though he hasn't exploded yet in Vegas. He's averaging 16.3 ppg on .468/.333/.500 shooting but did score 20 on 9/16 fg in yesterday's 74-73 win over Phoenix. Of course, don't forget about Bucks' rookie shooting guard Jodie Meeks. He may not be particularly good at anything but shooting, but damn is he good at that. Meeks is now averaging 16.5 ppg on .574/.571/.800 shooting and has shot 50% or better in every game. That'll work.
-
Jennings' shooting. We know Jennings has a reputation for being, um, erratic as a shooter, and 35.8% from the field in Vegas certainly corroborates it. The weird part is that Jennings has made 8/17 (47.1%) from three point range but just 30.6% on twos. Even though he's getting good looks from mid-range, he's struggling mightily from that distance and hasn't gotten to the rack enough to bump his fg% up to something more respectable. Like T.J. Ford a few years ago, Jennings will have to make open jumpers to keep defenses honest--right now they can afford to sag off and go under screens.
One thing interesting sidenote from last night's game was John Hammond's assertion during an in-game interview that they they like that Jennings is willing to make the simply play, but want him to be more aggressive. So much for Jennings being the wild gunner that the Bucks are trying to break.