Community Picks: Portland 0% vs Milwaukee 0%

The Milwaukee Bucks are 12-4 to start the season with the best net rating in the NBA, outscoring opponents by 10.4 points per 100 possessions. New coach Mike Budenholzer gets a lot of credit for that, he modernized what the Bucks did under Jason Kidd. Budenholzer has got the Bucks playing much faster (more than seven possessions a game), has put in an open offense with floor spacing and encouraged his players to shoot from three (last season 29.7 percent of their shots were from three, this season it’s 43.7 percent), and put in a simplified defense focused on protecting the rim and taking away easy buckets. Continue to Article

November 21, 2018 11:23:am EST

The Milwaukee Bucks have developed an unfortunate habit of falling behind -- big -- early in games lately but unlike previous editions of Bucks teams, this one has also developed an uncanny habit of rallying back for victories. The Bucks have trailed by double digits in each of their last three games, and four of their last five, but have rallied to win their last two, erasing deficits of 22 and 17 points to beat the Bulls and Nuggets, respectively. Forward Giannis Antetkounmpo credits Milwaukee's ability to bounce back as well as avoid big deficits overall -- the Bucks trailed opponents by at least 10 points in 46 of their 82 games last season -- to the presence of new head coach Mike Budenholzer, whose approach has led to a more relaxed atmosphere and whose offensive philosophy has bred a sense of confidence. Continue to Article

November 21, 2018 12:05:am EST