Milwaukee Bucks: Eric Bledsoe, Wesley Matthews backcourt clicking
By Dalton Sell
After both have had their share of struggles this season, Eric Bledsoe and Wesley Matthews have been solid for the Milwaukee Bucks in recent play.
Both Eric Bledsoe and Wesley Matthews have been stellar defensive players for the Milwaukee Bucks all season, but they have had their struggles on the offensive side of the ball. Seemingly not being able to connect on any shots some nights, the pair’s offense has been worrisome throughout the season.
Heading into the All-Star break with a league-best 46-8 record, to say the Milwaukee Bucks have been dominant seems like an understatement. They have had their share of struggling stretches individually and, as a team, but their backcourt has been one of the more prominent areas where any issues have been visible at times.
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However, the tandem has been impressive as of late with their rejuvenated play on offense, putting up some promising numbers. Going 8-2 in their last 10 games, the guards have been contributing immensely to the team’s winning efforts.
As the starting point guard, Eric Bledsoe has been doing some much-improved scoring as of late in this past 10-game stretch. Averaging an improved 17.9 points per game while connecting on 48.5 percent of his field-goal attempts, the guard has found a solid groove as the team’s third-leading scorer.
Bledsoe has done more than just score, however, as in that stretch, he has also dished out 6.1 assists per game, snagged 5.4 rebounds, and recorded 1.1 steals. Doing a little bit of everything for this team, Bledsoe has been stellar except for a single facet of his game.
The only area where he has been significantly struggling is with his three-point shooting, where he is shooting 28.6 percent in this 10-game run. The three-ball has never been a strong suit of the 30-year-old, but seeing him knock it down more consistently would be huge for this Milwaukee Bucks’ team.
On the other hand, Bledsoe’s backcourt mate Wesley Matthews has also been much improved offensively in this recent stretch, including from behind the arc. With stats such as 8.7 points per game on 43.3 percent field goal shooting and 40.8 percent from three, the 33-year-old has been finding a consistent rhythm offensively.
This recent play comes as a welcome sign with the postseason increasingly approaching, and the team has big plans after falling just short last season. The biggest question surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks this season has been if the team they have built around reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is good enough to win a title.
There is no way to tell right now, of course, but the team is going to need the supporting cast firing on all cylinders if they wish to compete for a title this season. The recently revived play of Bledsoe and Matthews has been impressive, but sustaining it consistently will be the biggest test going forward.