The Bucks must find a way to win all out

MILWAUKEE (AP) — More than halfway through the regular season, the Milwaukee Bucks haven’t had much of a chance to show they can hit the ground running.

The Bucks’ three biggest stars — two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton and Drew Holiday — have played together in only five of Milwaukee’s 45 games. Is not …

That situation brought some adversity. The Bucks are 20-16 after starting the season with his nine-game win streak.

Bucks manager Mike Budenholzer said, “Some nights we didn’t play the way we needed to. Some nights it’s both ends. Other nights it’s either. So we’re very much a work in progress. But I think we remain confident in the group and excited about where we’re headed.”

Bucks hopes to have some key pieces back soon.

Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo “did almost everything” in practice Thursday as the Bucks prepared for Saturday’s game in Cleveland. there is

Middleton took a scheduled day off Thursday, but is training with the Bucks’ NBA G League affiliate, Wisconsin Hard.

The Bucks’ biggest obstacle so far has been the health of Middleton, who has appeared in just seven games.

After undergoing surgery on his left wrist last summer, Middleton missed the Bucks’ first 20 games before making his season debut on December 2. His last time playing was on December 15th and he has been battling pain in his right knee ever since.

Without him they were inconsistent as usual.

The Bucks have ranked 18th in 3-point percentage (.355) over the past two seasons (.389 in 2020-21 and .366 in 2021-22). They are committing his 15.2 turnovers per game, and he is pacing for his highest average since 2015-16, when he was 15.2 turnovers per game.

Still, they’re still in second place in the Eastern Conference, four games behind the Boston Celtics, but only 1.5 games behind fifth-placed Cleveland. Given how little the Bucks have been able to play together, establishing cohesion will be key once everyone is healthy.

“It’s about working to get everyone back and hopefully finding rhythm and chemistry and things together before the All-Star break, but definitely after the All-Star break we’re definitely going to push.” said guard Pat Connaughton, “To keep everyone in rhythm, everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, and to play their best basketball, we’ll see brighter, sunny days here in Milwaukee.” ‘ said.

The Bucks remain near the top of the East thanks to some exceptional individual performances.

Late last month, Antetokounmpo started a four-game stretch, averaging 43.3 points, 18.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists. This included his 123-113 win over Washington, in which he scored his career-high 55 points.

Antetokounmpo is averaging a career-high 31 points, but has a career-high four turnovers per game and his lowest shooting percentage (.524) since 2016-17. I’m here.

Brook Lopez, who played only 13 regular season games last year due to a back injury that required surgery, has missed just one game all season. He has career-best his 3-point percentage (.401) and blocks per game (2.5).

Bobby Portis averaged a double-double averaging 14.2 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.

But what really got me thinking lately is the holidays.

Holiday helped the Bucks score 35 points against Indiana and 37 against Toronto this week to win their second straight game without Antetokounmpo or Middleton. I’m looking for This is his first since 2013 when he was in Philadelphia.

After the Raptors game, Holiday was asked what would make him an All-Star.

“I don’t know if you want me to be completely honest,” Holliday said. “You score a lot, you make the game fun. I don’t scream or shout, I feel like it’s entertainment as well as winning.

“That’s one of the things that I think our team has done pretty well is win, and when our big dog is down, stepping up to our team and being able to play well. am.”