Takeaway No. 1 from loss to Lakers – Milwaukee Bucks still have 3-point concerns
Along with the second unit struggles, 3-point inconsistencies are also nothing new for the Bucks. There have been several games this season where the team has been red-hot from long range, but others where they could not throw a rock into the ocean.
Unfortunately, this was another game that fit the bill of the latter from the opening tip. The Bucks struggled to find any rhythm from long distance, while the Los Lakers feasted on the opportunity and had a field day from downtown.
In particular, James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope torched the Bucks, having shot a combined 13-of-20 by themselves from deep. The rest of the team poured in six triples, and the Lakers shot an astounding 51.4 percent from behind the arc by connecting on 19 of their 37 shots. Defending the perimeter has been a glaring issue for the Bucks for several years now, and it was undoubtedly on full display Thursday night.
Speaking of familiarity, the Bucks were freezing cold from downtown as their opponent shot the lights out. Shooting 32.1 percent from long-range, the Bucks were just 9-of-28 on their triples, which proved to be another recipe for disaster. These issues have reared their ugly head for the Bucks throughout the first 15 games of the season, and it appears that they will not be going away anytime soon.
With their game tonight against the Washington Wizards postponed, the Bucks will have a few extra days off before they take on the Atlanta Hawks this Sunday. The Bucks will be put to the test trying to get back into the win column, and you can catch the action on Fox Sports Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. central time.