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Milwaukee Bucks: Five X-Factors for the team to succeed in NBA’s Orlando restart

By Dylan Carter

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 09: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates a dunk with Eric Bledsoe #6 during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at the Bradley Center on December 9, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 09: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates a dunk with Eric Bledsoe #6 during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at the Bradley Center on December 9, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

X-Factor No. 3: Donte DiVincenzo needs to pick up where he left off

Coming to a complete halt after going full-steam ahead in an 82-game slate can kill momentum. This can be especially jarring for younger players, which means the Bucks may not be able to rely on sophomore Donte DiVincenzo as they did before the break.

Having played the sixth-most minutes on the team, DiVincenzo ranked second on the team in Net Plus/Minus per 100 possessions. Milwaukee was 6.2 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor than off, which is 2.3 points better than the third-ranked Bledsoe. Some of that has to do with the fact that DiVincenzo plays a portion of his minutes against second units, but he also started 22 games for this team and has gone toe-to-toe with some legit competition.

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Milwaukee needs the version of DiVincenzo that goes full-throttle as the team resumes play. He’s at his best when he’s leaping in for boards, picking off passes, frustrating opposing ball-handlers and taking what the flow of the game gives him as a scorer. DiVincenzo isn’t going to be the difference between losing in the first round and winning a championship, but he takes a lot of pressure off of the starters by providing energy and competitive spirit as a tertiary contributor.

After the All-Star break, DiVincenzo began to shoot more efficiently from the floor, picking his spots and making smarter decisions with the ball in his hands. His field goal percentage, rebounding numbers and assists were all slowly rising. Though he’s not a very reliable deep-shooter, he even hit 9-of-21 triples in his last four games of the season at 42.9 percent.

Getting a revitalized DiVincenzo in the bubble makes a discernable difference for Milwaukee.

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