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Big Questions For Milwaukee Bucks In Wake Of Jabari Parker Injury

By Josh Cornelissen

Dec 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bucks defeated the Suns 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bucks defeated the Suns 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball against Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball against Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Can Milwaukee Make The Playoffs?

As the standings are currently, the Milwaukee Bucks are just two games back of the Detroit Pistons for the eighth and final playoff berth. While that is not an insurmountable lead, the hope of a few days ago has all but flickered out.

If Milwaukee stays healthy over the final 30 games of the season, smoothly inserts Khris Middleton into the rotation and effectively spreads out Parker’s shots between the roster, they can reasonable expect to play at a similar level to the first 50  or so games.

And that level wasn’t going to be enough to make the postseason.

After Wednesday night’s loss to the Heat, Milwaukee has just a 19 percent chance to make the playoffs, 11th-best in the East, according to FiveThiryEight’s CARM-Elo rankings.

Their loss to the Heat also dropped them into a tie with the streaking South Beach squad, which has won 12 straight to leap into the playoff picture.

Not only do the Bucks have to gain 2.5 games on the Detroit Pistons, but they have to do so while beating the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat to the punch. All three of those teams made last season’s postseason, and all three are playing better basketball than the Bucks right now.

While the possibility of making the postseason still exists, it was going to be a fight with Middleton added to a healthy roster. Now it looks to be over before it truly began.

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