Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: March 19 at Cleveland Cavaliers

Major key for Milwaukee – Eliminate loose play

While the Bucks just skirted past the Hawks on Saturday, their performance was full of loose play and the kind of showboating that quite simply would usually only be expected of much better teams.

Whether it was Eric Bledsoe looking to throw an alley-oop too himself off the backboard or generally being careless in transition, Brandon Jennings‘ bizarre full-court Hail Mary heaves toward John Henson, or even some of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fancier pass attempts, the Bucks seemed to be trying to ramp up the style, but they did so without any substance.

That won’t be an option on Monday night in a game where the Bucks will have to demonstrate their ability to play fundamentally sound basketball on both ends to have any chance of winning.

Playing as poorly as the Bucks have done lately, there’s no room for in-game Harlem Globetrotters tributes. Against the Cavaliers, they certainly won’t be able to afford the empty possessions, and it would be ill-advised to rile up LeBron James with any perceived disrespect.