Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 113-103 loss to Los Angeles Lakers

Bledsoe’s blues

Well, here’s a story we’ve seen too many times before. Veteran Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe delivered yet another worrisome outing in a high-profile game and was basically neutralized, most of which was by his own doing.

Whether it was the wavering confidence he showed when looking to finish or attacking the rack, the amount of offensive fouls he recorded in such situations and his general ineffectiveness to space the floor, Bledsoe keeps falling in the same hole that has been consistent with his failings in each of the Bucks’ last two playoff trips.

With Bledsoe literally playing himself out of the game, given his foul trouble, it only made the absence of George Hill that much more critical for the Bucks as they were without their security blanket.

Bledsoe’s struggles, paired with Middleton’s own awful night as he couldn’t buy a bucket from all levels of the floor (12 points on 19 shots, 2-for-10 shooting from long range) left Antetokounmpo forced to pick up the pieces, along with anyone who could offer something of substance to the Bucks.

All in all, Bledsoe scored 11 points on 13 shots (0-for-3 from deep, 1-for-1 from the foul line), five turnovers, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and was a -1 in 28 and a half minutes of burn.

If there’s one narrative that will be crowed about the Bucks in light of their latest loss that rings true, it’s Bledsoe’s extended floundering in big moments that could prove to be the biggest detriment to their looming playoff run.