OKC Thunder: 3 keys to sweeping Bucks this season
The OKC Thunder arrive in Milwaukee having lost five of their last six games and two in a row. Albeit the one win in that stretch came against these Bucks last week on Valentine’s Day (114-109).
Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Theo Maledon were out in that match and have each returned to the court. Both clubs are playing their third game in four nights but the Bucks are on the second game of a back-to-back set.
As for Milwaukee, they are reeling having lost five games in a row. The last time that happened was two separate streaks in the 2016-17 season.
Through 28 games the Thunder are 11-17 but unlike the Bucks, they don’t have title aspirations. Rather, the goal is to develop the young core and nab that top draft pick.
This week the Thunder lost to the Blazers and Grizzlies in a back-to-back set. For insight into the Grizzlies loss Intentions dove in deeper to the specifics in our grades and three takeaways.
With that, here are three keys to how the Thunder can sweep the season series versus Milwaukee.
OKC Thunder key number 1: Show no mercy
Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke following Tuesday’s loss to the Raptors stating there was no panic despite the first four-game losing streak for the Bucks since the 2019 playoffs and 2017-18 regular season play.
I wonder if that’s still the consensus given the Bucks lost again to Toronto on Thursday with the latter looking like the team with something to prove in their 110-96 victory.
If they aren’t worried someone should point out six of the Bucks’ 16 wins have come against the Pistons and Cavaliers. Digging deeper 12 of their 16 wins are versus sub .500 teams who have a cumulative record of 127 – 213 equating to a 37 percent win percentage.
Moreover, they possess a 4-6 record versus teams above .500 and are 5-10 against current playoff seeds. Comparatively, the Thunder are 6-11 against playoff seeds!
Last season Milwaukee played 65 games prior to the season suspension and lost a mere three times at Fiserv Forum. This year through 28 games they’ve lost four times at home (Jazz, Lakers, twice to Raptors).
Based on how angry Giannis Antetokounmpo looked at the end of the game Thursday he’ll be amped up for this match. OKC has to be prepared especially early, and most importantly the Thunder can show no mercy.