The Milwaukee Bucks Are A Playoff Team
After a strong win Friday night the Milwaukee Bucks stand eighth in the Eastern Conference. How did they get there, and will they stick around?
As the dust cleared on the NBA trade deadline, an opening for the Milwaukee Bucks to claw back into the playoffs seemed to be before them. With the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers all failing to upgrade their teams for the stretch-run, Milwaukee had a chance to pass someone and make the postseason.
For Milwaukee to do so, however, they would have to start playing better. And that is exactly what they did, winning by 14 over the Indiana Pacers Friday night to cap a five-game winning streak.
On Feb. 10, the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Los Angeles Lakers to fall to 22-30 on the season, 11th in the Eastern Conference and holding just an 11 percent chance to make the postseason, according to FiveThiryEight.com’s projections.
More from Milwaukee Bucks
- NBA Rumors: 3 teams emerge as most-likely Giannis destinations
- 7 players the Milwaukee Bucks gave up on far too soon
- Report: Bucks, 76ers, and Suns all vying to land this championship coach
- 5 potential candidates for Bucks’ head coach
- NBA Rumors: Milwaukee may overhaul roster after early playoff exit
Milwaukee picked up a win in its next game, a 16-point win over the Indiana Pacers, and have not looked back since. The Bucks are 9-3 over that stretch, including wins over the Pacers, Pistons, Raptors and Clippers. They now own a 37 percent chance of making the playoffs per FiveThirtyEight, projected to finish eighth in the East with a 39-43 record.
The loss of Jabari Parker threatened to end their season, but the rest of Milwaukee’s roster has stepped up in his absence. Michael Beasley carried the flag in the first few games, then Khris Middleton‘s return to his pre-injury production propelled Milwaukee towards an even higher level of play. Giannis Antetokounmpo has not slacked off in the slightest from his All-NBA level of play.
The Bucks have had help in the form of their competition failing to impress. While the Miami Heat have continued their rise and stand just a half game back of the Bucks, the teams just ahead of Milwaukee are losing their grip on their postseason berths.
Indiana has now lost 10 of its last 13 games, and they stand just 1.5 games up on Milwaukee and two games up on Miami in ninth place. Detroit has mustered a 9-5 record to keep ahead of the Bucks and Heat, but their inconsistencies at point guard leave them vulnerable as well.
The Bulls have been in the sharpest freefall, losing four straight and five of six to drop into 10th place in the East. After trading away two key contributors for long-term development projects, the Bulls’ magic act of turning no defense and no shooting into wins seems to be falling apart.
Chicago now seems like a long shot to make the postseason, leaving the race ultimately a four-team affair for three slots. Milwaukee can keep winning and hold off Miami for the eighth spot, but their eyes should be set on a higher seed and the right to avoid Cleveland. The Bucks have played the Cavaliers hard this season, but every team should want to avoid playoff LeBron James as long as possible.
Must Read: Keys To Milwaukee Bucks Winning Streak
There is no guarantee the Bucks will make the postseason, as the Heat are on fire and the Pacers and Pistons are ahead in the standings. But if the last month is any indication, this team has the talent and drive to earn a playoff berth and keep its season alive.