Given what they offer, especially defensively, it's a small miracle that the Bucks are currently in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference (14 wins – 6 losses), tied with the Magic.
But the fact is that, like against the Hawks last night, the Milwaukee players closed ranks at the end of the match.
The best team in the fourth quarter
Against Atlanta, while the two teams were still tied five minutes from the end, the Bucks once again accelerated in “money time”, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Cameron Payne, Malik Beasley and Brook Lopez taking turns to offer yourself a new victory.
“I think this group, in particular, knows how to win games when it’s time to do so”, assures Damian Lillard. “It's about execution, stops, rebounds and being on the same page. And I believe that in those moments, whatever needs to be done well, we begin to do it well. »
In the numbers, the Bucks are absolutely the best team in the fourth quarter this season, with a “Net Rating” (difference between offensive and defensive efficiency) of +16.1! That is to say that Milwaukee scores more points on average, per 100 possessions, than its opponents in the last 12 minutes.
The problem is that if Milwaukee has to snatch so many games at the end, it is because its “Net Rating” is much worse during the first three quarters: -3.5 in the first, +1.7 in the second and – 1.0 in the third.
A good sign for Damian Lillard
“Our communication is improving. We hold our duels better on the ball carrier. Our sense of urgency is growing. And that's what it takes.” continues Damian Lillard. “We always say we should have all that in the rest of the game, and of course we have to be better in the rest of the games, and I'm sure we'll improve, but the fact that this is one of our strength, that's a good thing. »
The former Trail Blazers thinks that it is more promising for this group to be able to play well at the end of the match, rather than to shine at the start of the match and to collapse as soon as the pressure is felt. .
“When it matters (in the playoffs?), we will have many more close games than blowouts” he concludes. “You just have to find the right balance as the match goes on, so that the improvement (between the first three quarters and the last) is not as spectacular, when the match is on the line.”
