3 exciting lineup combinations the Bucks must try with Jae Crowder

No. 3 – The Bucks’ Closing Lineup: Holiday, Middleton, Crowder, Portis, G. Antetokounmpo

It’s closing time; no not the catchy tune from the band Semisonic. This is all about the closing lineup I think The Bucks should send out against teams in tight games.

In the 2021 NBA Finals, The Bucks were closing with a similar lineup with Connaughton and Tucker instead of this lineup with Crowder and Portis. This lineup provides multiple weapons and different actions that will give opposing teams headaches.

It features a primary ballhandler in Holiday, shot creation with Middleton, floor spacing with Crowder and Portis, and the big factor…Giannis at the five. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Bucks have an offensive efficiency differential of +15.8 and score an astounding 118.4 points per 100 possessions (would lead the NBA) with Antetokounmpo playing at the center position this season. That is with Giannis only playing center for only 15 percent of his total minutes so far this season. To put it in perspective; the expected win total in an 82-game season is 72! The Bucks have been absolutely dominating teams with Giannis at the center position.

This lineup also allows The Bucks to use the Giannis-Middleton pick and roll, which was massive down the stretch in games during The 2021 Playoffs as well.

Stay tuned to see if Coach Mike Budenholzer utilizes these lineups when Jae Crowder takes the floor for the Milwaukee Bucks.