Santa Claus was not too kind to the Bucks this weekend, who fell to 1-3 on the season on Sunday.
On Wednesday, the Bucks opened their season in stunning fashion against the Celtics. Milwaukee’s new big three played well, with Giannis Antetokounmpo contributing 35 points and 13 rebounds to start the season. Khris Middleton added 27 points and 14 boards while Jrue Holiday‘s Bucks debut successfully added 25.
Then, heartbreak ensued.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum hit a stepback, fade away, bank shot three-pointer off the glass over Antetokounmpo with under a half of a second remaining. It seemed as if Tatum had won Boston the game, 122-120. But after Celtics newcomer Tristan Thompson fouled Antetokounmpo on an inbound pass, Antetokounmpo could not make both free throws, and the Bucks fell short. A solid effort in Milwaukee’s opener, just couldn’t make the Celtics pay for their mistake.
In their Christmas Day matchup with the Warriors, the Bucks easily handed Golden State their second win of the season 138-99. Defensively, the Bucks stifled Golden State’s offense. Milwaukee’s offensive contributions were much more balanced, with six players scoring double digits. Middleton led the way with 31.
On Sunday night, the Bucks lost to the New York Knicks 130-110.
Three-point shooting was a glaring problem for the Bucks, who shot just 7-of-38 from distance. Holiday was a glaring 0-for-4 from three and contributed just eight points. Off the bench, the Bucks struggled. Pat Connaughton was 0-for-5 from three and shot just 25 percent from the floor in 16 minutes. D.J. Augustin was 0-for-6 from the floor in just 14 minutes.
Despite a 20-point loss to the Knicks and just one win out of their first three games, the Bucks look like exactly what they are— a brand new team learning to gel together.
While the expectations for the one-win Bucks remain sky-high, the schedule does not get any easier.
The Bucks will travel to Miami for a back-to-back against the Eastern Conference champion Heat. These two games will be pivotal for Milwaukee’s young season, as they lost to Miami in five games during the semifinals of the NBA bubble.
Two revenge games are in reach for the new-look Bucks, who will look for cohesion in South Beach.
