© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
"They just shouldn't get 30 looks from 3" – Khris Middleton comments on Milwaukee Bucks' porous defense
The Milwaukee Bucks’ perimeter defense has been an abject disaster this season, with opposing guards and wings routinely carving them up. After giving up 132 points to the Utah Jazz on Sunday night, the Bucks have now surrendered at least 125 points in their last five games.
This latest blowout loss prompted a frustrated Khris Middleton to speak out about the team’s defensive struggles.
Open looks
The Jazz had a three-point shooting party and designated the Fiserv Forum as the venue. Utah kicked things off by making 11 triples in the first quarter that helped them go up by 18 points, 41-23. They continued their shooting spree in the second and finished the first half by making 16 of 30 from long distance to take a massive 77-46 lead.
“They just shouldn’t get 30 looks from 3,” Middleton said.
“They’re a great shooting team. As you saw, they knocked them down. We didn’t do a great job of running them off the line or limiting their 3s.”
Insufficient effort
Middleton’s comments highlight a growing concern for the Bucks as they continue to struggle on the defensive end. Despite having one of the league’s top offenses led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard, Milwaukee has been unable to find consistent success on defense.
Bucks coach Adrian Griffin offered some insight into the team’s struggles, saying that it all comes down to effort.
“I just think a lot of it was we were closing out short to certain shooters, and then, with our switching, we’re not aggressive with our switches enough,” Griffin said.
“And they were just shooting behind our switches, and that’s something we stress. You know, being physical, pushing up, switch under, then switch out, be more aggressive, especially with shooters.”
