Bucks and Giannis are playing at the fastest pace in the NBA, riding an 8-game winning streak and waiting for… the normal Middleton

The Bucks also went through Portland dismantling the Blazers. Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t even have to break a sweat from a foul in that match, but touched the triple-double. Milwaukee has won 8 in a row. They are the hottest team in the NBA. And the best is ahead of him.

Milwaukee has been through a lot in that time. The back and forth of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the rotation, the long absence of Khris Middleton, the poor schedule, the injury to Bobby Portis (who is out), all played their part. But now Milwaukee feels like Milwaukee. But how did the “Deer” get here, with a 37-17 record just one win away from the Celtics (38-16) and the best record in the east and the entire NBA?

The Sportish Analysis using InStat Scout.

John took the initiative

It was a given that the Bucks first needed Giannis Antetokounmpo to play like… Giannis Antetokounmpo in order for them to move up. In the last 8 games of the team, that happens on an absolute scale, the “Greek Freak” recalls.

During the Milwaukee streak, Giannis averaged 37.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists with 60.8% shooting and +11.6 on the +/- system.

According to InStat Scout, during that time Giannis has increased his isolation possession from 5.7 to 8.7 per game and scored 1.31 points per possession (up from 0.96 in the first few games of the season), an incredible number. The message is clear: Giannis is more aggressive and the Bucks are more aggressive with him as they are at their best when the “Greek Freak” charges to the basket and creates for him and his teammates.

The Bucks are better defensively

In the first 46 games of the season, Milwaukee had a negative ratio of points per possession gained (0.98) versus allowed (0.99). In the last 8 games, that has changed drastically, with Milwaukee scoring 1.06 points per possession and conceding 0.96 points per possession. According to the NBA’s official website, in those 8 games, the Bucks have an offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) of 118.1 points (10th place in the NBA during that period) and a defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 106 .7 points (third in the NBA).

The return of Giannis, but also Middleton, added greatness to the Bucks’ defense. Now Milwaukee presses the ball better while making it easier to get their hands on every shot (which is one of the team’s weapons given their size). As a result, in those 8 games, the Bucks’ opponents fired just 43.1% on shots (best performance in the NBA over the period) and 33.1% on three-pointers (fourth-best performance).

Play the fastest pace in the NBA

This improvement in the Bucks’ defense combined with Giannis’ increased aggressiveness also created the corresponding domino. The next stone in it is the pace of the bucks. That is, her pace. According to the NBA’s official website, Milwaukee is playing at the fastest pace in the league with 107.1 possessions per game during that time. The difference with the next team (Hornets) is huge as Charlotte plays their own games with 103.4 possession per game.

To understand how big the difference in tempo is between the (1st at this point) Bucks and the (2nd) Hornets, just know this: It’s that almost 4-ball difference that separates the Hornets and the 14th. separates Orlando Magic (99.1 possessions per game).

It is clear that the bucks are at their best when they are walking. This is shown by the increase in their possession in the transition period (surprise) from 12.5 to 14.1 in the last 8 games. But the thing about Milwaukee is that it’s just more aggressive. He also plays faster in halffield situations, he has Giannis more active, so he finds solutions.

I’m also waiting for the regular Middleton

Khris Middleton is the one currently judging the cap of this year’s Bucks. That his simultaneous return with Giannis’ coincided with the Bucks’ breakout is clearly no coincidence. And all while he still has a “cap” of 20 minutes attendance and comes off the bench for Pat Connaughton.

During the Bucks’ streak, Middleton averaged 14.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists. It’s clear he brings something different to Milwaukee’s game. But he’s still not… Chris Middleton and he knows it.

Milwaukee isn’t at its best yet, and that might be the scariest part. Right now the Bucks are defending better, running more, giving Giannis more of a push and finding a rhythm. All that’s left is for Middleton…Middleton and Bobby Portis to return and add more depth to their top line, which suffers when Giannis and Lopez are rested. Everything else will follow.