The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall
After a rollercoaster spell that now sees a win over the Cavs join narrow losses to the Warriors and Raptors, it’s harder than ever to understand how this same Bucks team can be blown out by Miami and lose to a hobbling Mavericks team.
What has become clear, drawing not just from this season but an abundance of evidence last year too, is that the Bucks excel in games where they’re required to play up to their opponent’s level. Whether the underdog tag suits the Bucks, or this group just takes greater pride in the scalps of high profile foes isn’t really relevant.
What is indisputable is that this habit could come in very handy for the Bucks in the near future. Now back at .500, Milwaukee’s next two games come against the lowly Brooklyn Nets. These are exactly the kind of games the Bucks should win, but often struggle in.
Beyond those Nets games, Milwaukee will need to bring the best of their plucky underdog approach out for a schedule that sees them play the Spurs, Trail Blazers, Hawks, Wizards (twice), Raptors, Bulls (twice) and Cavs (twice) before Christmas.
It would seem like there could be no better time for the Bucks to pick up a confidence boosting win like they did on Tuesday, now the focus needs to shift to them parlaying that into a respectable run against some of the league’s best teams.
If that becomes a reality through that stretch, Milwaukee’s ambitions for the season may become just a little bit loftier.
Next: Win In 6 Podcast #88: What We’ve Learned About The Milwaukee Bucks So Far
The Bucks will be back in action on Thursday night, taking on the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center.