Milwaukee Bucks: 3 players underperforming versus the Brooklyn Nets

The Milwaukee Bucks are in deep trouble after dropping the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Brooklyn Nets.

Trailing by as many as 49 points in Monday night’s embarrassing 125-86 Game 2 loss, this team has looked extremely disinterested, unmotivated, and devoid of any energy from the moment this series tipped off. Although the roster is the exact same, excluding the injured Donte DiVincenzo, this is not the same team that conquered their playoff nemesis by sweeping the Miami Heat in the first round just over a week ago.

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Currently sitting in an 0-2 hole, the Bucks will hopefully conjure a sense of urgency and try to get back into this series in front of their home crowd. If so, players and coaches alike must flip the switch and play like their season is on the line, as going down 0-3 Thursday would practically be a death sentence.

In particular, three players stand out after lackluster performances in two games. With that being said, here are three players underperforming that must play better against the Nets in Milwaukee.

Bobby Portis has underperformed for the Milwaukee Bucks in matchup with Brooklyn Nets

After playing solid basketball as the team’s sixth man up to this point, Bobby Portis has been a non-factor for the Bucks in this series.

Logging 34 total minutes off the bench, the big man’s typically reliable scoring presence has vanished, leaving a massive void that the team has not been able to replicate. Portis has scored just eight points on 4-of-12 shooting, missing all three of his attempts from 3-point territory after two games. The big man has been downright awful on the offensive end as he continues struggling to find his shot from anywhere on the floor.

Furthermore, the Nets are targeting him defensively as Portis is certainly not known as a robust defender, of all things. According to NBA.com/stats, the Nets are shooting 8-for-12 (66.7 percent) from the field with Portis as the primary defender to this point. With his shot not dropping and his defense proving troublesome, Portis has practically played himself off the floor as he has been a liability in this series.

For the big man to have an impact in the remainder of this series, Portis will have to regain his scoring touch. He certainly showcased the impact he can have as he led the team in bench scoring and boasted the third-best 3-point percentage in the entire association during the regular season. While the team will not expect him to clamp down defensively, Portis can help the cause by finding his rhythm on the offensive end.