Analyzing the Milwaukee Bucks’ hot start to the 2022-2023 NBA season

The Milwaukee Bucks have started the 2022-2023 NBA season on fire and find themselves sitting atop the Eastern Conference after a 5-0 start. Thanks to this red-hot start, the Bucks are the only undefeated team in the NBA.

Let’s take a look at the opening five games and what has been central to their success.

The Milwaukee Bucks have beaten two top Eastern Conference teams

Milwaukee traveled to Philadelphia to start the season – a tough game for any team to open their campaign.

The Bucks had to contend with a strong 76ers team consisting of James Harden and Joel Embiid, all whilst missing All-Star Khris Middleton and a candidate for Milwaukee’s Sixth Man of the Year, Pat Connaughton.

The Deer were led to a 90-88 victory by none other than the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led Milwaukee’s scorers with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.

Giannis didn’t stop after just one game as he helped himself to 43 points in a 110-99 victory at home to the Brooklyn Nets.

Not only have the Bucks beaten two of their Eastern Conference rivals early in the season, but they’ve held both teams to under 100 points and managed to contain both teams’ big hitters – managing to stifle the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid and James Harden.

Whilst it’s early in the season, taking a victory against both these teams will be huge for confidence early in the season and can only benefit the team going forward.

Best of the rest of the wins for the Milwaukee Bucks

Along with the two wins mentioned above, The Milwaukee Bucks have taken three more victories over Houston, New York, and Atlanta.

Now let’s be fair; the win against Houston was one we expected to win as fans. But nonetheless, a potential banana skin, and, again a nice confidence builder for the guys going forward.

Milwaukee took a relatively one-sided affair against the New York Knicks and followed this up with a win against a 2021 Eastern Conference Finalist, the Atlanta Hawks. This was a great game between two brilliant teams. It wasn’t until the final few minutes that the Bucks broke away and took the victory 123-115.

After struggling to start the season, Jrue Holiday found his groove offensively against the Hawks, notching up an impressive 34 points.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dominant for the Milwaukee Bucks

The sky is blue, and the grass is green. Giannis Antetokounmpo will score baskets and win you basketball games. All three are facts of life.

Giannis has been on fire to start the season and has to be seen as the early frontrunner for MVP. He’s hit 40 points in two games and gone over 30 in another two. Add the fact he’s been one or two assists shy of a triple-double twice in five games, and it’s safe to say that the Greek superstar has found his groove early on in the season.

The supporting cast has stepped up for the Milwaukee Bucks

Whilst everyone has come to expect greatness from Giannis, a lot has to be said for his supporting cast to start the season. Milwaukee is without Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, and summer addition Joe Ingles to kick off this campaign. All three leave big gaps on the court. However, the rest of the roster has stepped up.

After a slow start in his opening game, Jrue Holiday seems to have found his feet and is contributing both offensively and defensively.

Brook Lopez has been a defensive monster. It might be early, but I’m saying it – he’s showing himself as a contender for Defensive Player of the Year. Whilst blocking balls left, right, and center, he has also added a fair few three-pointers so far.

Jevon Carter has shown his worth after being given a starter role, and Bobby Portis continues to grow his popularity in Milwaukee with his performances from the bench.

All in all, a strong start from the whole roster, and it’s going to show that you don’t always have to add to your roster to improve. Sometimes, continuity is better, and that’s showing so far this season.

Milwaukee host the Detroit Pistons on Monday night in a game where they’ll be hoping to add another notch in the W column.