The Bucks were also in action Monday, a 112-100 loss in Minnesota, so both teams come in on 1 day of rest. Milwaukee also had to fly to Boston. The Wolves game was actually encouraging on one end. The Bucks won the 2nd quarter, trailed just 48-47 at the half, and played their best defense of the season against a Minnesota team missing Anthony Edwards. Then the offense stalled at 100 again, the same total it scored against Houston, and LaMelo Ball's 34 pulled the Wolves away.
The defense has been the real problem. Before Minnesota, Milwaukee gave up 132 to Houston and 136 to Cleveland in back-to-back home games, both decided by 25 points or more. Boston has topped 120 in 3 of its last 5, including 134 on Chicago. If the Bucks' showing in Minnesota was a real step and not a one-off, this is a ballgame. If it wasn't, the Celtics have the shooters to run away with it by the 3rd quarter.
There are some bright spots for Milwaukee. Kasparas Jakučionis, one of the pieces from the Giannis trade, has been one of the team's best stories early, and the Bucks picked up his rookie-scale option this week along with Kel'el Ware's. They're building around young players now, and young players on a 1-6 team usually get plenty of minutes. Whether that's enough against a full-strength Boston at home is the question. George's status after Monday's rest day is worth watching before 7:30 PM ET.
