Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Dec. 4 at Boston Celtics
By Adam McGee
Major key for Milwaukee – Remain close in the three-point battle
The Bucks have fallen off a cliff in terms of three-point percentage since the addition of Eric Bledsoe, and having already been one of the league’s lowest ranked teams in terms of three-point attempts per game, it presents a significant challenge for the Bucks to face up to on a nightly basis.
In many ways, a team who both shoots and defends the three well would seem like a nightmare matchup for Milwaukee, and the Celtics certainly fare well in both of those categories.
Boston rank ninth in the NBA in terms of both three-point attempts per game (30.9) and three-point percentage (37.1). On top of that, the Celtics are also among the league’s best teams at limiting their opponents’ success from deep. Brad Stevens’ team are fifth in opponent three-point attempts allowed (26.2) and fourth in opponent three-point percentage (33.7)
Although the Bucks are seventh in allowing attempts (26.6), they are dead last in terms of the percentage (40.0) that opponents make on those attempts. Shooting just 32.1 percent on 22.1 three-point attempts per game since Bledsoe’s debut, the Bucks could really find themselves hard pressed to make up ground against Boston.
The Bucks will need to be completely focused and locked in on the defensive end, while also looking for strong shooting nights from the likes of Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon and Tony Snell.