Bucks Battle for Playoff Spot Amid Turnovers and Defensive Challenges

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches its final stretch, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a tight race for the Eastern Conference’s fourth playoff seed. Following a convincing 126-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, the Bucks hold a 37-28 record, currently placing them fourth in the standings.

However, the race is far from secure, with the Indiana Pacers close behind at 36-28. Milwaukee’s match against Indiana on Saturday at Fiserv Forum marks a crucial moment, as the team seeks to create some distance ahead of the final weeks of the season. The Detroit Pistons, trailing by one game at 37-30, add to the pressure.

Before the weekend’s critical back-to-back matchups against the Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, an analysis of recent performance trends reveals both strengths and weaknesses. Notably, backup point guard Kevin Porter Jr. was instrumental in the Bucks’ victory against Los Angeles, contributing 22 points, including hitting five of seven three-point attempts.

“Coming off the bench, his scoring gave us a much-needed boost,” said Bucks coach Doc Rivers. “It’s great to see him get back to shooting threes like he did in Houston.”

Despite his strong scoring performance, Porter has faced challenges with turnovers since joining the Bucks. He averages 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 14 games, but also averages two turnovers per game. This inconsistency was acknowledged by Rivers, who emphasized the importance of minimizing mistakes as the season enters its critical phase.

“That’s non-negotiable,” Rivers stated. “Especially late in the season, you just can’t turn the ball over.” Porter himself recognized the need for improvement, promising to refine his decision-making on the court.

In addition, the team dynamics shifted after recent trades, enabling new players like Jericho Sims, recently acquired from the New York Knicks, to make an impact. Sims has participated in all 12 games since the All-Star break, though his offensive contributions have been modest, averaging 2.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15.5 minutes.

“We’re still getting to know each other on the floor,” Sims said. His significant defensive abilities lend a different dimension to the Bucks’ rotation, making them less predictable.

Despite promising highlights, the results on the floor indicate mixed performance. The Bucks have struggled offensively with Sims in the lineup, and Rivers has been cautious about pairing him with Giannis Antetokounmpo due to spacing issues.

The unconventional lineup featuring Lillard, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez has shown promise, achieving a plus-9.6 net rating. “It’s working right now, but we need to continue adjusting as we go,” Rivers noted.

Defensively, the Bucks face mounting challenges. Recent games against the Pacers and Luka Doncic‘s Mavericks exposed vulnerabilities, with the team surrendering numerous open shots. Rivers admitted the recent performances have fallen short of expectations.

“We’ve not controlled the game like we should have. We need to tighten up defensively,” Rivers said. As they gear up for Saturday’s rematch with the Pacers, the Bucks will have to shift their defensive strategy to contain Indiana’s offensive threats effectively.

The stakes are high for the Bucks as they strive to secure their playoff position in the upcoming weeks. The coaching staff will need to address turnover issues and refine their defensive execution to stand a chance in the postseason.