Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 96-89 loss to Boston Celtics

Hackathon

The Boston Celtics shot eight more free throws than the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, and made 11. That was more than the difference in the game, and if the Bucks had gotten to the free throw line more often perhaps they could have pulled away with the victory.

This is a common theme for the Bucks on the season as, according to NBA.com, the Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 26.2 free throws per game, while attempting just 20.4. Those six free throws may not seem consequential but over the course of a season can have a real impact.

One of the more concerning factors of the discrepancy in free-throw attempts is the fact the Bucks have played four-of-five games at home so far this season. Studies have shown that teams, on average, attempt approximately 1.5 more free throws at home than on the road.

So far this season much of this has to do with Thon Maker. He has been consistently in foul trouble and in only 64 minutes this season has already 14 fouls. On Thursday, he was better, as it was mostly the guards allowing the Celtics to get to the line.

The most important step to maintaining a top-half defense is to not allow easy shots, and few shot in the NBA are easier than those at the free-throw line.