The defeat of Bucks Facing the Thunder is clearly not a surprise. Already becauseklahoma City is a machine this season and not Milwaukee. Also because as we know, Doc Rivers' troops do not have the legs to play these matches. Yes, they won the “NBA Cup” in December 2024, but in the regular season, as soon as the level rises, the defeats are linked.
“There are meetings in a season when a team is aware of the importance of the match and the other not. There was a difference and you can feel it, see it ”, notes the Bucks coach. “The only one with us who was ready was Giannis Antetokounmpo. He had the thing, no one else. This is what made the difference in this match. »»
The figures do not change: Milwaukee displays a 0-10 assessment against the best three teams of the East Conference: four defeats against Boston and Cleveland and two against New York. Then, in February, the Bucks had slapped the Thunder (-31), before being dominated on Sunday evening against the leader of the Western Conference.
Be more aggressive in attack also
“They forced us to miss a lot of shoots. They were solid in the rebound and very physical on half-terrain ”Kyle Kuzma analysis while Giannis antetokounmpo wants to focus on aggressiveness, but offensive. “Faced with such a strong team in defense, you have to move the ball and the player who receives the ball, in the wing or weak side, must be sharp, otherwise they will be present. You have to circulate the ball quickly and be decisive afterwards, go to the circle »adds the Greek, which talks about the Thunder as a “Disciplined team” who makes the efforts “For 48 minutes”.
Damian Lillard also insists on this point. “When we talk about playing hard, we think of the defense but when a team defends so physical, you have to play hard offensively”, confirms the playmaker. “We have to play with more rhythm, more intensity. »»
The upcoming calendar will allow the Bucks to test themselves and try to reverse this heavy trend, notably with trips to Golden State and Los Angeles (facing the Lakers) on Tuesday and Thursday. A few days and matches later, this time it will be necessary to cross the iron in Denver, then receive New York at the end of the month.
Important turns because their fourth place in the east (38 victories – 29 defeats) is not out of danger, since the pacers are just behind with the same assessment or almost (37 victories – 29 defeats) and matches easier to approach against the Mavericks and the Nets (twice) this week.
