After a four-game skid and slide down the Eastern Conference standings, the Milwaukee Bucks got a much-needed win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
There are seven games left of the regular season, and the Bucks are sixth in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the Detroit Pistons and now three behind the Indiana Pacers. Tuesday's 133-123 win over the Suns was huge, but Milwaukee needs to build on that and end the season well.
Damian Lillard's absence has made things tougher. Bobby Portis' suspension is up in a couple of games, so they at least get another body back.
The win was big. However, there are still flaws with the Bucks team, and they need to eradicate them if they want any chance of progressing out of the first round of the playoffs. One issue that has plagued the Milwaukee Bucks all season long is the lack of care when in possession of the ball. Coaching schemes can minimize them, but ultimately, it is down to the players.
Bucks need to eradicate turnovers if they want to cause an upset
Without Lillard, other players are taking on more ball-handling, and it has led to frustrating turnovers. Against the Suns, Milwaukee still turned the ball over 18 times to their opponents' 13. Phoenix on paper has star power but has had a nightmare of a season, sitting outside of the Western Conference play-in spots with a 35-41 record. Whoever the Bucks meet in the postseason will be levels above the Suns and will make them pay for losing the turnover battle.
It has been well documented that the Bucks just cannot beat the top three teams out East. Now dropping to sixth, it looks like they will take on the Knicks, who have won all three matchups this season with an average score of 124-102. Milwaukee are the clear underdogs, and if they want any chance, they need to eradicate the needless turnovers and force their opponents to lose possession.
The Bucks are eighth in the league for average turnovers with 13.6. Boston, Cleveland, New York and Indiana are all above them in that regard. Without Lillard, this puts real pressure on others to take better care of their possessions.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 3.2, Kyle Kuzma averaging 2.2 and Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 1.9 in less than 18 minutes per game. Those three are likely to be the dominant ball-handlers without Lillard, but everyone on the roster has been guilty at points this season for giving the possession away too easily.
Getting a win was the main thing on Tuesday, and that sets the team up for what is a friendlier run of games where they will hope to gain some momentum for the playoffs.
Trips to the depleted Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans are all favorable games for the Milwaukee Bucks. A tough doubleheader with the Pistons to end the season will be a real test for what this Bucks team can do in the postseason.
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