In a game with a razor-thin margin for error, the Milwaukee Bucks were unable to push past the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime, falling 128-126. It seems that, once again, the matinee tip-off time thwarted Milwaukee’s efforts, and they missed a chance to log their tenth win of the season.
Three Highlights
Despite the deluge of eye-popping plays in this game, the general consensus is that both teams struggled, and the Bucks were particularly sloppy. Rotations were missed, spacing was poor, and despite forcing OT in the final seconds Milwaukee generally had a bad game. Objectively, a number of players delivered impressive statistical performances, but as we saw against Golden State just a few days ago, the Bucks are at their best when they can get everyone involved and when they execute the little things.
A few numbers that stand out and demonstrate how easily the Bucks might have taken home a win, if not for a number of mistakes:
- Milwaukee shot 16/23 from the foul line. It stands to reason that if, say, one or two more of those free throws connect, we have a very different outcome.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (6), Khris Middleton (5), and Eric Bledsoe (3) combined for 14 turnovers, which was 82% of the team’s 17 total miscues.- Giannis’ stat line is nearly always impressive (27 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block), but he was somehow the second-worst on the team with a +/- of minus-10. Only rookie Donte DiVincenzo (who struggled mightily) was worse, at minus-17.
- Milwaukee got called for 26 fouls, compared to Los Angeles’ 19. Home cookin’ is a real phenomenon, and it’s tough to wonder what might have been if not for one less whistle blown against the Bucks.
Despite all of this, Milwaukee is still 9-3 on the season with a 0.500 record on the road (3-3). The good news?
Following the game in Denver, the Bucks' 10 next games feature 8 home games, with the 2 away games being against the Knicks and the Hornets.
— Dean Maniatt (@AllTheBucks) November 11, 2018
And the bad news?
In case you don’t remember, the last time Milwaukee lost a tough game on the road, they walloped the two-time defending champions. Tonight’s matchup against Denver presents a similarly difficult challenge...but we know that Milwaukee has proven itself to be capable of such tasks.