Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways From Loss to Atlanta Hawks
By Adam Coffman
Center Struggles
They faced a tough frontcourt matchup in Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap, but the Bucks’ centers put forth a fairly dismal effort against the Hawks. Greg Monroe finished with 13 points but lacked the usual energy and spark he provides, and neither Miles Plumlee nor John Henson did anything of note.
Particularly concerning was the lack of rebounding from the Bucks’ big men. The three centers combined for just six rebounds in 47 total minutes, and allowed the Hawks’ Dwight Howard to feast on the glass with 14 boards, seven of which were offensive.
Giannis and Jabari did put up eight and 10 rebounds respectively, but eight of this combined total were on the offensive end as well.
It doesn’t come as a surprise at this point, but Henson disappeared for long stretches of time, finishing with four points in 21 minutes. Plumlee entered the game as part of a bench-heavy lineup in the second quarter and looked abysmal, his only contribution being two fouls and a board.
The Bucks aren’t relying on production from these two, but when all three big men struggle, it puts an enormous load on the team’s main cogs. Against the Hawks, this load was too much to bear, and the team faltered as a result.