Milwaukee Bucks: Scoring, scoring, and more scoring

The Bucks have an improved defense. Now it is time to ratchet back up their scoring. Over their past ten games the team has only averaged 114.9 points per contest. On the season the team is 3rd in the NBA with 120.9 points per game.

When it comes to scoring, the Bucks are lucky. It helps to have two superstars: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard who can score at will.

But three players, Jae Crowder, Malik Beasley, and Khris Middleton need to provide, and provide more consistent, scoring for the team to have a legitimate shot at an NBA Championship.

Who will provide the scoring punch for the Milwaukee Bucks?

Jae Crowder: What kind of scoring can Milwaukee expect from him in a playoff run?

Feb 27, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates with forward Jae Crowder (99) in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Jae Crowder is an unlikely option here to increase the team’s scoring output. However, after the 4/4, ten point performance from Crowder it certainly did help. Crowder needs to be used more on offense and needs to convert the chances he gets.

Fans will never forget Crowder’s lack of usage in the abrupt first-round playoff loss to the Heat.

Is Crowder someone who the team can count on to score in a playoff series?

Malik Beasley : Can he keep scoring like he has from three? Can he break his mini-slump? 

Beasley has been in a small shooting slump as of late. But still, he has been a truly impactful scorer for this team.

GM Jon Horst may have had a “steal of the off-season” in getting Beasley on the one year deal he signed him on.
Feb 6, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) during the second quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Beasley (who doesn’t love that ‘shake’ after he hits a three) leads the team in three point shooting percentage (43%) and also leads the team in an interesting and lesser-known stat, shooting efficiency. The promise of Beasley buckets in an NBA playoff series has to be exciting for fans.

Khris Middleton: Can he score consistently from three?

Khris Middleton is the engine that makes the Bucks go. But he simply has not been able to play enough because of injuries. The injury question is too obvious for Middleton. And honestly, at this point in his career, the “injury” issue may feel like a constant, thus making the obvious question more of a,” what type of performance can we expect?”

Middleton offers so much to this team. He can shoot the three and is great at creating his own shot. And of course, like Aaron Rodgers has fondly said, “he has that great mid-range.”

But when the playoffs roll around, can Middleton make and hit threes?

If he is not able to take pressure off Giannis and Lillard the Bucks may not have the playoff run the franchise and its fans are hoping for.

Speaking of excitement, let get “Big Bobby on dat a**”.

Bobby Portis

Mar 4, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) takes a shot against Los Angeles Clippers center Daniel Theis (10) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Can Portis drop a few 25-point games and awesome performances (think Phoenix) to help “will” the Bucks to a playoff series win? Portis has also been a truly impactful scoring machine. Over his past ten games, Portis has averaged 16.8 points a game.

Not trading Bobby Portis might have been the best trade-deadline move GM Jon Horst made. Could Milwaukee have gotten P.J. Washington for him? Maybe? But right now Bobby Portis is a better player than Washington so it was a good move to keep him.

Portis is another engine that makes this team go. When he is scoring with post moves and three-pointers the team almost seems invincible. Could Portis score like he has at times in the playoffs? Bucks fans certainly hope so!

If this is going to be the playoff run the Bucks are hoping for, then this team will need to continue to increase its scoring output. And these are the players to do it.

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