Milwaukee Bucks Best and Worst: December 23 – 29

Worst: Not-So-Clutch Bucks

Although it hasn’t really become a recurring issue yet, the Bucks have been decidedly less-than-stellar in “the clutch” this season.

Defined as any point in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime in which the margin sits at five points or less, the Bucks rank dead last with a negative-27.2 net rating. This mark is a result of their putrid crunch-time offense, as their offensive rating of 83.6 puts them nearly seven points behind the 29th place Miami Heat.

Some of this can be chalked up to their youth; veteran teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies sit atop the list, but it’s definitely a problem that needs addressing.

We’ve seen Milwaukee blow several late leads in very winnable games, most recently against the Wizards on December 26. In this game, the Bucks held a 98-94 lead with over four minutes left before giving up a 13-4 run that would leave the contest at its final score of 107-102.

It’s no secret that the Bucks are built around Giannis and Jabari, and it’s equally obvious that these two are at their best in transition, where they can push the pace off rebounds or steals. When the pace slows down, as it tends to do late in games, Milwaukee’s halfcourt offense leaves much to be desired.

Look how congested the paint becomes on this possession. Delly has little option but to force up a contested jumper with a small chance of going in. This is why going small at the end of games has been effective for the Bucks – Giannis and Jabari can attack the paint with the freedom of having another shooter on the floor.

Next: Ball Movement is the Key to Success

Going small won’t be a quick fix, as there are clearly problems beyond simply spacing, and some improvement should come with experience, but the coaching staff may have to take a hard look at the team’s end-of-game strategy.