The Milwaukee Bucks have battled through the highs and the lows extensively this year, but a very hectic regular season is nearing an end.
Despite the recurring adversity to hit the roster, the Bucks have plowed through that wall for the most part by sitting at third place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 33-20 record. With 19 games left to go before the playoffs begin, all eyes have shifted towards whether or not the Bucks can close the regular season on a high note.
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Building up momentum will be pivotal as the team loads up for another postseason run, which is only made more challenging by the barrage of injuries to recently hit the roster.
Still, the Bucks’ depth runs deep, and there are several players in particular that could go on a tear for the remainder of regular season action with the team needing a boost.
With that being said, here are three players that could go on a tear to finish off the regular season.
Bryn Forbes could go on a tear for the Milwaukee Bucks
Since signing with Milwaukee in free agency, Bryn Forbes has not been shy about letting it fly from distance this season.
Heaving 4.8 shots from deep per contest, the guard is making good on the opportunity by connecting on a career-best 44.9 percent of those shots. The guard has provided an essential spark off of the Bucks’ bench this year with his red-hot shooting, and he could undoubtedly catch fire down the stretch.
If his last two performances speak any volume, he may already have. Forbes has scored a combined 31 points in Milwaukee’s last two matchups, shooting 12-of-24 from the floor, including 6-of-13 from behind the arc. Cooling down Forbes is a tall task when he is heating up, and it appears that he has gotten himself into a nice rhythm.
Although these two games are a small sample size, the guard could undoubtedly sustain this momentum throughout the team’s final 19 games. Forbes has been given the green light from long range all year, and his efforts have bolstered a Milwaukee bench that currently holds the second best 3-point mark in the league at 40.5 percent. As long as his teammates continue to get him looks, Forbes will not be hesitant about letting it fly.
Bobby Portis could go on a tear for the Milwaukee Bucks
Since returning from a four-game absence after a bout with the league’s health and safety protocols, Bobby Portis has started in three of his five appearances. In that time, he is averaging 15.4 points on .492/.467/.750 shooting splits, 11.2 rebounds, and an assist per game, undoubtedly making his presence felt.
With Milwaukee’s frontcourt thinned due to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s knee soreness and P.J. Tucker’s lingering calf strain, the Bucks have needed every bit of Portis’ contributions. There is currently no timetable for both Antetokounmpo or Tucker, meaning the team will remain dependent on Portis to spark some life into the frontcourt in their absences. Whether it be off the bench or in the starting lineup, the big man has embraced the opportunity.
He has provided a big boost for this team all season with his stellar scoring and rebounding abilities, this recent stretch of games only amplifying that success. When asked about his recent play with a bigger role to play, Portis gave a lengthy response detailing how he feels he continues improving his game since he came to Milwaukee. Via Bucks.com:
"“I just want to be a complete basketball player. I think my whole life, I’m just trying to focus on scoring the ball and trying to be a good scorer… Being more active on defense and things like that. It’s helped me out a lot to become a better player, a well-rounded player, and not just an offensive guy. I’m just trying to impact the game in different ways, rebounding the basketball at a high level when I’m out there. Being active on defense, not just trying to be a stopper… Those things are stuck with me for me to earn my keeps and earn more time out on the floor.”"
Portis has unquestionably earned the extended minutes, and depending on how long Tucker and Antetokounmpo are sidelined, that playing will only continue to increase. If that is the case, the veteran could go on a tear to finish the regular season. Logging four consecutive double-doubles, a hot streak may have already begun.
Khris Middleton could go on a tear for the Milwaukee Bucks
With Antetokounmpo’s health a lingering issue, the Bucks need more all-around production from Khris Middleton.
The two-time All-Star has been having another fantastic season, but now some extra weight certainly falls onto his shoulders with Milwaukee’s MVP sidelined. Middleton’s play without Antetokounmpo in the lineup has been a mixed bag in his last four games, highlighted by an abysmal 6-for-27 shooting night against the Dallas Mavericks and a 4-for-16 outing against the Sacramento Kings.
Despite those two off nights, everyone knows Middleton can get things turned around on any given night. With more control of the offense with the ball in his hands more, this team will be more dependent on Middleton to keep them afloat. While Jrue Holiday undoubtedly helps alleviate some of that pressure with the stellar year he is having, Middleton will be the defining factor without Giannis in the fold.
With that increased workload, Middleton has the opportunity to gain some momentum and find a nice groove offensively down the stretch here. Struggling in the aforementioned outings above, the forward will look to remain aggressive on the offensive end, and it does not take much to get him going with the ball in his hands.
We’ve seen Khris Middleton go on hot streaks previously, and there could be one in the making with 19 games left in the regular season.