In his debut for the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard showcased all the qualities the team had hoped for. He delivered in crucial moments, scoring 39 points, the highest in any player’s first game with the Bucks, leading them to a 118-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, in the second game, Lillard’s performance took a turn for the worse. In contrast to his turnover-free debut, he had six turnovers by halftime. The Bucks’ offense struggled throughout the first half of their 127-110 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, despite numerous timeouts called by coach Adrian Griffin.
One particular turnover highlighted the team’s offensive struggles. With 8:44 remaining in the second quarter, Malik Beasley’s 3-pointer brought the Bucks within one point of the Hawks. But the Hawks responded by scoring 10 points in just 90 seconds, forcing Griffin to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Bucks orchestrated a play for Lillard, but the Hawks’ defense effectively covered him. As Lillard searched for an open teammate, Hawks guard Dejounte Murray disrupted his pass, leading to a fast-break layup for Saddiq Bey and extending the Hawks’ lead to 12.
Lillard’s performance in the first half was disappointing, with six turnovers and zero points on 0-for-7 shooting. This marked only the sixth time in his NBA career that he failed to score in the first half of a game. Lillard acknowledged his need to improve and emphasized the team’s need to learn from their mistakes.
Ultimately, Lillard finished the game with six points (2 of 12 shooting), four rebounds, and five assists. It was a forgettable performance for the Bucks’ new point guard, as his turnovers not only hindered the offense but also made it challenging for the Bucks to play strong defense.
The Bucks’ defensive struggles were evident in their matchup against Hawks guard Trae Young, who exploited their defensive vulnerabilities. Young’s ability to manipulate help defenders and stretch defenses was on display, exposing the Bucks’ difficulties in finding their defensive identity this season.
One particular defensive breakdown occurred during a double drag screen in transition, where the Bucks gave up an uncontested dunk. In previous years, the Bucks would have utilized a different defensive approach, but this season they aimed to apply more pressure on the ball. However, their aggressive defense didn’t fare well against Young, and the Hawks capitalized on their overcommitment by finding open scoring opportunities.
Despite Lillard’s subpar performance on Sunday, it is unlikely that he will have another game like this in the near future. The Bucks’ offense should rebound from their loss, but their defense will require significant improvement as they adjust their defensive strategy.
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