Milwaukee Bucks: Ugly loss to the Spurs is cause for concern

The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a 21-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs during the 68th game of the season on May 10th. At first glance, this loss appears meaningless as the Bucks have already captured a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference.

But when you look beyond the surface, this game shows potential playoff flaws. The Spurs shot 58.6 percent from behind the arc on 29 attempts creating 51 points. It is not the first time that a team has shot well from behind the arc against the Bucks, as they have shot 38.1 percent this season.

The opponents shooting percentage is currently the fourth-highest team in the league, only behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves. They are allowed opponents to shoot at least two percentage points more from three.

Let’s take a look at how the San Antonio Spurs loss showcased the Milwaukee Bucks’ biggest defensive issue, which will be a recurring theme in the playoffs

The opponents shooting percentage cannot be attributed to them making a high percentage at a low volume as opponents are taking 38.6 attempts per game, which is the third-highest in the league. Opponents have excelled from behind the arc because of the Bucks’ defensive philosophy. Head coach Mike Budenholzer runs a defensive system that prioritizes protecting the rim.

For example, Kevin Durant had the basketball on the right wing late in the first quarter of a road game against the Bucks. Durant began to drive to the basket but stopped just before he reached the paint to take a mid-range jumper because three Bucks players were standing in or near the paint.

The Bucks defensive system has helped them hold opponents to 41.3 points in the paint per game over the past two-plus seasons. These statistics have helped the team be top three over the past three seasons in protecting the rim. Unfortunately, the downside is most of his players are standing closer to the rim than the 3-point line, which makes it harder for them to run back and properly contest a three.

For example, Keldon Johnson had the basketball at the top of the key early in the first quarter of a home game against the Bucks. He proceeded to begin an attack to the basket but had to stop after about five steps because Brook Lopez, Donte DiVincenzo, and Giannis Antetokounmpo collapsed on him.

Consequently, he passed the ball to Dejounte Murray, who made a lightly contested three from the top of the key.

This system will be the Bucks’ downfall in the playoffs as most of the teams they will face have good 3-point percentages. As a top-three seed, the Bucks will most likely face the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers starting in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Those two teams have excelled from behind the arc this season. For instance, the Brooklyn Nets are shooting 39 percent from behind the arc on 36.4 attempts per game. Brooklyn is not the only team with an excellent 3-point percentage, as the top team in the Eastern Conference, the 76ers, is shooting 37.2 percent from behind the arc on 30.1 attempts per game.

More importantly, it doesn’t seem that Mike Budenholzer will make adjustments to his defensive system as he takes a long time to make changes. For instance, the NBA community was clamoring for Mike Budenholzer to play his starters more than 35 minutes during last year’s playoffs.

Budenholzer refused to play them for more than 35 minutes because he wanted to keep them fresh. His decision to maintain his starters and their minutes was contributing to the team’s loss to the Heat. Consequently, the Milwaukee Bucks will likely exit in the second round because Mike Budenholzer is unwilling to change.