The Milwaukee Bucks kicked off their second half on the right note with their 134-101 win over the New York Knicks.
It was was the pitch perfect way for the Bucks to open up the second half of their season, especially as they continue to search for their consistency throughout the year. Now winners of seven of their last eight games, Milwaukee is rounding into form at the halfway point and with big tests looming over the following weeks and months.
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So without further ado, let’s look at some at some of the major trends to monitor over the second half of the Bucks’ 2020-21 season.
Can the Milwaukee Bucks continue getting a scoring lift from the bench?
All throughout this season, the Bucks have gotten a consistent scoring lift from their top bench performers, that being Bryn Forbes and Bobby Portis.
Forbes showed Thursday night how dialed in his sharpshooting can be and both have combined to play their roles within the Bucks’ rotation to perfection. Still, the Bucks’ bench unit is collectively averaging 35.3 points per game, which ranks 16th in the league going into Saturday night’s game against the Washington Wizards.
While that stands in the middle of the pack, it certainly speaks to the top-heavy nature when it comes to the Bucks’ roster construction.
Pat Connaughton has put in an improved campaign, especially when he’s shooting 38.2 percent from deep. And his wing defense has been leaned on further as the season has gone on, especially as he’s earning more minutes. Thanasis Antetokounmpo has re-emerged as the Bucks’ energy booster and overall glue guy as they have steadied the ship. Yet neither are asked to create a high-level of offense when coming off the bench.
It’s here where the discussion surrounding D.J. Augustin continues as he has had the toughest go of any Bucks player this season, though he’s coming off a nice outing against the Knicks. While he filled in admirably for Jrue Holiday as he was sidelined with COVID-19 and in the initial few games upon his return, Augustin has had the toughest go of any Bucks player this season. Perhaps the run in the starting lineup spurs Augustin to break out of his quiet campaign so far.
As the Bucks are linked to a shooter like Sacramento Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica, perhaps they add more size and shooting to their bench. The question is what would they give up to acquire a midseason reinforcement?