In between the loss to the Lakers and the injury to the reigning MVP, the Bucks werent precisely showing weaknesses, but they were opening the door for a number of things: doubt and a late MVP run by LeBron James down the stretch. Instead, the season was stopped for 4 months, Giannis is now completely healthy and has a back-to-back MVP all but clinched, and the Bucks are the expensive favorites to win the title in Orlando.
The Basics
Group: Milwaukee Bucks Record: 53-12 (initially in Eastern Conference) Numbers: 112.3 offensive score (tied for 5th), 101.6 protective rating (first), 10.7 net rating (first) Seeding challengers (in order of schedule): Celtics, Rockets, Nets, Heat, Mavs, Raptors, Wizards, Grizzlies
After the Bucks dropped a highly prepared for match with the Lakers, Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out the next 2 video games with a minor left knee sprain and Milwaukee lost to the Suns and Nuggets. Up until then, the team had not lost back-to-back video games all season. Its net rating was tops in the league by a staggering 3.6 points, about the very same gap in between the no. 2 group (Lakers) and the no. 7 group (Rockets).
Four months is a long period of time. So were getting reacquainted with the title race by looking at the nine NBA groups with a minimum of a 1 percent chance of winning the title according to our in-house playoff chances (a.k.a. Zach Kram), plus the 76ers, who defy all math and logic, leading up to resuming night on July 30.
How Theyve Spent Quarantine
Aside from being with his months-old infant instead of sleep-walking through a series against the Wizards, Giannis played chess, poked enjoyable at the media, went live multiple times on YouTube and Instagram, and attempted to learn the guitar:
Focus on “attempted.” The rest of the Bucks stayed reasonably peaceful, but some of them, along with Giannis, signed up with demonstrations in Milwaukee:
Offered that their remaining schedule is the 11th most difficult and the Raptors have the most challenging slate of the 22 teams in Orlando, it would be a shock if Milwaukee were to somehow blow its 6.5-game lead for the top seed in the East. Keep Giannis healthy.
Seeding-Games Goals: Keep the No. 1 Seed, Keep Giannis Healthy
Both Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton tested favorable for the coronavirus, which has delayed their arrival in Orlando, however all signs point to their both being on the court when games start.
Most Significant On-Court Bubble Question: How Much Will Mike Budenholzer Put on Gianniss Shoulders?
The Bucks method makes sense– they do not wish to burn out or hurt Giannis by overplaying him. But its clear that with so much hinging on him, the Bucks might need to flip that switch earlier than they did last postseason.
Its impressive that Giannis seems to be the runaway MVP despite averaging only 30.9 minutes per game (tied for 63rd in the league, behind names like [checks notes] Kevin Huerter), which is almost two less than he averaged in his very first MVP season in 2015. Whats seen as a favorable during the regular season turns into a point of contention once the playoffs begin. Last season Giannis averaged just 34 minutes a video game in the postseason, and it was just till the Bucks were on the ropes against the Raptors that head coach Mike Budenholzer seemed to break from his routine rotations and minute restrictions to let Giannis go full steam.
Player in the Spotlight: Eric Bledsoe
Sure, Milwaukee can most likely waltz through the very first two rounds of the playoffs without outstanding Bledsoe efficiencies, however when the Bucks play the Raptors, Lakers, or Clippers, a disappearing Bledsoe could as soon as again be the distinction in between a title and needing to fret about Gianniss complimentary agency next summer season.
Gianniss minutes are vital, in part, since when he sits its unclear who will step up and start beyond Khris Middleton. Ideally for Milwaukee, that man would be Bledsoe. Its why the team signed him to a four-year, $70 million deal last March. But when the playoffs came around last spring, Bledsoe suffered a severe drop in nearly every statistical classification. By the end, Budenholzer was relying more on George Hill.
The drop-off in Bledsoes playoff efficiency is a repeating concern. Bledsoe isnt even in the bubble yet due to his positive test, suggesting hell miss not simply practice time, however skirmishes and possibly even seeding games. And Hill is still a serviceable point-guard choice who can dependably tear down threes– he leads the league in 3-point portion this season– so its up to Bledsoe to make his minutes.
On a Scale From Wizards to 10, Where 10 Is the very best Shot at a Title, What Are the Bucks Odds of Winning the 2020 Title?
Gianniss minutes are essential, in part, since when he sits its unclear who will step up and start beyond Khris Middleton.
Whether youre a number cruncher or an eye-test person, theres no doubt the Bucks are a 10. They are one of just three teams, in addition to the Lakers and Clippers, who can claim a 10 on this scale, but Milwaukee also has all the numbers and advanced statistics pointing in its favor. By the book (and the sportsbook!), the Bucks are the real favorites.
After the Bucks dropped an extremely anticipated match with the Lakers, Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out the next two games with a minor left knee sprain and Milwaukee lost to the Suns and Nuggets. Its net score was tops in the league by a shocking 3.6 points, about the same space between the no. 2 group (Lakers) and the no. 7 group (Rockets).
Keep Giannis healthy. Last season Giannis balanced only 34 minutes a game in the postseason, and it was just until the Bucks were on the ropes against the Raptors that head coach Mike Budenholzer appeared to break from his regular rotations and minute restrictions to let Giannis go complete steam.
