AFTER Toronto frustrated them last season during the Eastern Conference Finals, Milwaukee is definitely going full throttle.
They were on a roll and there’s no other way for their 18-win streak to go but be halted by a Luka Doncic-less Dallas. They had been rolling to a 24-4 start, tying a franchise best through the first 28 games of a season since 1971-1972 and 1973-1974.
Reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, only 25 years old, is on a mission averaging 31.7 points and 12.8 rebounds in 27 games. A 6-11 power forward with handles of a guard, Giannis is willing an almost intact Bucks team to victory.
Milwaukee is the only team in the NBA today that has two sets of brothers on the roster – twins Brook and Robin Lopez and Giannis and elder brother Thanasis. Another brother, Kostas, was recently called up by the LA Lakers from the G-League and will have the chance to play against his brothers.
Giannis admittedly is the face of the Milwaukee franchise and his numbers prove his worth. But the Bucks have a deep bench and coach Mike Budenholzer had shuffled well the talents at his disposal to get the job done. Although they don’t have the most attention getting stats, high energy guys Donte DiVincenzo and Pat Connaughton had stepped up and Kyle Korver seem to have found his range.
The 18-win streak was their best winning run since 1982. Between 1970 to 1973 with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, Milwaukee recorded 16 in a row twice and one 20-win streak, along the way earning their first and only NBA title in 1971.
Only four other teams had winning streaks of more than 20 – Houston with 22 games in 2008, Golden State with 24 games in 2015, Miami with 27-game run in 2013 and the Lakers in 1972 with 33 consecutive games.
Ironically, the Bucks will battle the Lakers tomorrow in what could be a possible preview of the NBA Finals come June. Both teams lead their respective conferences and had been playing well behind three very possible league MVPs in Giannis, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Bucks must rely on their depth especially Korver’s shooting and hope Brook Lopez will find his range.
James and Davis should take advantage of their inside plays considering the Bucks are low on bigs. LAL’s bigs meanwhile must limit their fouls and control Giannis’ strong drives to the rim. I’ll give Milwaukee the edge on outside shooting but if they can’t control the paint, the Lakers could win the battle.
Milwaukee is a serious title contender and this will be a great time for fans to jump ship and join the Bucks in their quest to basketball glory./PN
