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Game 2: Milwaukee Bucks 113 Washington Wizards 118 Grades & Reactions

By Jeff Herrmann

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Oct 28, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and center Marcin Gortat (13) react after they beat the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic 88-87. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Reactions: The Bad

  • Three-point shooting. The ultimate x-factor in the game of basketball. It’s what every NBA team desperately craves and it’s what the Bucks most glaringly lack. The Bucks shot just 7-24 (29.2%) from three while allowing the Wizards a stunning 12-21 (57.1%) including 7 of 9 in the fourth quarter. That, as it turns out, is the difference between an uplifting win and a spirit-jarring loss. Something tells me this won’t be the last time we address this specific problem.
  • At some point the defense must get better. Last season this team was second in the league in defensive efficiency. This season (albeit, after two games), they’ve allowed an average of 120 points. Do the Bucks miss the presences of Jared Dudley and Zaza Pahchulia that much? So far it looks like they might. Look, I’m not naive enough to proclaim that the Bucks are a bad defensive team. But through the first two games things don’t look very good. Still, Michael Carter-Williams has less than 30 regular season games in a Buck’s uniform–same with Jabari Parker. Throw in a newcomers like Greg Monroe and Greivis Vasquez and your top tier defense is suddenly very pedestrian. Eventually the defense should come together–Jason Kidd will allow for nothing less.
  • There’s a world of hope surrounding this team’s future, but they’re still very, very young. You could see that youth when Khris Middleton missed a hurried three point jumper down four with two minutes left. The Wizards, of course, responded with a back-breaking three off a broken play. The Bucks had a ten point lead headed into the fourth quarter and watched the game slip away. With experience they will learn to ruthlessly place their heels on opponent’s necks and push down.
  • The Bucks had just three assists in the fourth quarter after posting 30 in the first three. You want a good reason why the Bucks lost? Look no further than that telling stat.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks Grades: Starters

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