Milwaukee Bucks: 4 false assumptions after the first 8 games
The Milwaukee Bucks will average 120 points per game this season
Through eight contests the Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 125.5 points per game. Bucks fans probably don’t have a problem with their team putting up record-breaking numbers, but it’s a pace they can’t keep up. The last team to average 125 points per game was the 1982 Denver Nuggets. They finished the season with a 46-36 record, good for fourth place in the Western Conference and home-court advantage in the first round.
They went on to lose that series 2-1 to the Phoenix Suns. I don’t mean to come off as the old man yelling “get off my lawn,” but winning basketball games takes a concerted effort on both ends of the floor.
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Over the past two seasons, Milwaukee has had the best team defensive efficiency rating in the league. It’s no coincidence that they’ve enjoyed the best regular season record both times. If the Bucks continue winning games at their current rate, they’ll end up with a 45-27 record on the season. That may not be enough wins to even get them home-court advantage in the first round.
Teams that have been known to run up the score without concentrating on defense have always been considered entertaining; they’ve never been considered contenders. Averaging a lot of points may be fun but if the Bucks want to get back to their winning ways, they’re going to have to do it on defense.