Milwaukee Bucks Grades, Reactions To 116-99 Loss To New Orleans Pelicans
For the second consecutive night the Milwaukee Bucks squandered a chance at a road win, this time falling to the New Orleans Pelicans 116-99.
Let’s just say that Greg Monroe likely expected more in his return to the bayou. Monroe, a native of Harvey, Louisiana was a complete wrecking ball–scoring 22 points on 8-13 shooting, with eleven rebounds.
The Bucks got a similarly strong effort from Khris Middleton, who added 22 points, including fourteen in the third quarter, and 4-7 shooting from downtown overall.
Despite the quality performances from those two, there was no stopping Ryan Anderson. He torched the Bucks for 23 points, including 6-11 from deep. Every time the Bucks suffered a defensive lapse he seemed to be right there, in the corner, with hands wide open and eyes even wider.
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He wasn’t alone–the Bucks struggled to defend the three point line all night, allowing a franchise record 17 three-pointers to the Pelicans.
Clearly with defense like that a Bucks win was a long-shot.
They did play competitive basketball for the better part of three quarters, before the three point barrage became too much to overcome.
They also held Anthony Davis to just six points in the first half. He would eventually return to form in the second half, scoring 22 overall, but hey–that’s half a great defensive game, right?
Unfortunately the Bucks aren’t good enough to do half of anything well and expect to win. They need to play at or damn near their capacity every night to be competitive.
They failed to do that in New Orleans and came away with a loss.
We have your Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions from the bayou–where it’s presumably still raining threes.
Next: Reactions: The Good