Major Key For Milwaukee: Move The Ball Freely
As we’ve discussed before, the Milwaukee Bucks are a much better team when the ball moves more between individual Bucks. Milwaukee’s previous games against the Miami Heat show that, as do the Bucks season splits.
In 22 wins, Milwaukee has averaged 26.9 assists per game. In 28 losses, the Bucks have averaged 22.9 assists per game. In the two losses against Miami thus far this season, Milwaukee has totaled 20 and 17 assists.
In the lone game where the Bucks beat the Heat, the team recorded 28 assists. When Milwaukee racks up 28 or more assists, the team is 11-0. That, obviously, means the Bucks are 11-28 when they record less than 28 dimes. Yikes.
Moving the ball helps pretty much every team, but it’s been profoundly important for the Bucks this season. The burden falls to more than just Giannis Antetokounmpo and Matthew Dellavedova. The Bucks are at their best when lots of players are making the right pass.
In the one Bucks win against Miami, seven players recorded at least two assists. Players like Greg Monroe, Jason Terry and now Khris Middleton can help the ball continue to move, even after the point guard makes their first pass.