3 keys as Milwaukee Bucks try to extend win streak against Detroit Pistons

Jrue Holiday will need to continue to perform at an All-Star level for the Milwaukee Bucks

Saying it has been a good run for Jrue Holiday over the last month and a half or so would be an understatement. His last 20 games have drastically changed the narrative around his season after he got off to a slow start that had some panicking (not me, though!).

In those last 20 games, Holiday has averaged over 20 points, nearly five rebounds, over seven assists, and more than a steal per game. He’s making a push to be an All-Star for the first time since the 2012-13 season and he’s done it with improved efficiency.

In his first 11 games, Holiday shot 32 percent from 3 and a true shooting percentage under 46 percent. It was not going well. He was missing looks that he should be converting at the rim and every time he took a stepback jumper, I cringed.

He’s now shooting over 57 percent on stepback jumpers and over 47 percent on stepback 3s, per NBA.com/stats. In his first 11 games this season, Holiday shot 44.7 percent on attempts in the restricted area. Not good!

In his last 20, the 31-year-old is shooting over 66 percent in the restricted area, which is almost identical to what he shot in the paint last year. Holiday’s efficiency has been incredible to see as he’s getting to his spots with ease (be it a stepback jumper or a layup at the rim) and it’s giving Giannis Antetokounmpo more space as defenses need to worry about Holiday as well.

Due to the Pistons’ thin roster, Holiday can put more of his attention on offense and continue to build his All-Star case because, let’s be honest, offense matters more than defense when people consider All-Stars.