Bucks vs Sixers: Why Play Defense?

The Milwaukee Bucks had a chance at clinching the 6th seed if they had won tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bucks then looked like a team that really didn’t want to play for the 6th seed, or the 7th, or really at all. Milwaukee let Philly get open threes early and often and the Sixers took full advantage. Milwaukee got down 28 in the first quarter and never recovered. Philly scored 80 points in the first half thanks to open threes, and lack of defense in the paint from Milwaukee. Milwaukee possibly got its wish and landed as the 7th seed because the Miami Heat beat the Toronto Raptors in overtime and the Washington Wizards lost to the Orlando Magic.

Main Observations

• There has been a lot of chatter on if the Bucks would be better off getting the 7th seed and playing an injury stricken Celtics team. After last night, you can’t say any matchup would be good for the Bucks period. The Bucks badly need to flip a switch to convince me otherwise.
• Milwaukee has to realize at some point they have to play a full four quarters in order to have a chance in the playoffs. Tonight, Milwaukee gave up 46 points in the quarter while only scoring 18 points. Eric Nehm gave us the Bucks advanced stats for the quarter.

This has been the Bucks biggest issue since the All-Star break. Sometimes it’s the first quarter (example this game) or the second quarter (example the Magic game Monday) or even the fourth quarter (see Denver, Lakers, Spurs, etc.). If Milwaukee wants to win a game, they will need to somehow play four good quarters for the first time in months.

With tonight’s loss, Milwaukee also bungled their one chance at retaining their pick in this year’s draft by allowing the Heat to slide up the Eastern Conference pecking order.

Bonus Bucks Bits

• Malcolm Brogdon was the only player to play well last night. Jabari Parker was ok.
• If the Bucks are going to play in the playoffs like they did last night, just give me a refund now for Game 4.
• Somehow the first quarter wasn’t the worse quarter in franchise history.

• This was the worst half in franchise history.
• onto the Playoffs, I guess.