Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from tough loss to Minnesota Timberwolves

After a successful 2-1 road trip, the Milwaukee Bucks returned home to Fiserv Forum last night to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

They would be without three key pieces in Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and Donte DiVincenzo for yet another game due to injuries, a predicament that has hindered the team throughout the year. Still, a game had to be played, and unfortunately, it just was not Milwaukee’s night. The Bucks were not able to take the lead at any point in the game, with the Timberwolves taking control and building a lead up to 20 points. Despite a late run by the Bucks that made things interesting, the home team would suffer their second loss of the season with a 113-108 loss. It was a tough one, and here are three takeaways from the contest.

Pat Connaughton and Khris Middleton struggled for the Milwaukee Bucks in loss to Minnesota Timberwolves

Without several key pieces available, the Bucks needed their veteran players to step up, but it was simply an off night for both Pat Connaughton and Khris Middleton.

Connaughton, who had been fantastic up until last night, hit the roadblock as he finished with just six points on 2-of-11 field goal shooting (2-of-9 from deep). After proving to be Mr. Reliable from the outside during Milwaukee’s first four contests, the guard could not find the bottom of the net with any consistency in this matchup, which stung for the Bucks in the end. Connaughton finished with a team-worst +/- of -12 last night, a representation of how his night went. It was a brutal shooting night for the Connaughton, but the guard is sure to bounce back sooner rather than later.

Much like Connaughton, Middleton could not buy a bucket from downtown for most of the night. He knocked down just one 3-pointer in eight attempts and shot 6-of-16 overall from the floor. It was an ugly shooting night from the forward to give him just 16 points on the night. He did knock down a clutch shot in the closing moments of the fourth to make things interesting, but it did not help the Bucks ultimately come back and win. Despite his shooting woes, Middleton tried to make an impact elsewhere with five assists, five rebounds, and three steals, which he did. These tough shooting nights are destined to happen on occasion, and last night was one, unfortunately.