What an awful week and weekend to be a Bucks fan. For most of it, national sports writers waxed poetically about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ceiling and the hope of how good this team can be in the coming years. In reality, Milwaukee could be on a eight-game winning streak and be the hottest teams in the National Basketball Association. Instead, Bucks are 11-11 losing three of their last four games and blowing fourth quarter leads in all three games. Something needs to change for Milwaukee.

Atlanta 114 Milwaukee 110
There have been some bad losses this season, but this might have been one of Milwaukee’s worst. It looked like Milwaukee was on their way to a 3-1 homestand with a 20-point halftime lead. Bucks put 64 points on Atlanta Hawks and looked in control. But Hawks would creep back and turn this entire game around with 70 second half points. Dennis Schroder led with 33 points. Milwaukee had no answer for Schorder who could do whatever he wanted out there. Paul Millsap might have a bad hip, but he didn’t show it on Friday with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Jabari Parker had another strong outing with 27 points. Antetokouonmpo had a rough night with only 24 minutes of court time as he ended up in foul trouble for most of the game. Another strong night from the bench mob with three in double figures.

Washington 110 Milwaukee 105
It’s one thing to lose to Atlanta, it’s another to lose to Washington. They aren’t good whatsoever. Bucks had a fourth quarter lead only to watch it disappear as Washington goes on an 11-0 run. Bucks need to find a way to close games. Khris Middleton used to be that guy when you needed a couple big buckets late, and he’s not returning until March. Antetokounmpo or Parker needs to be that guy, and I feel like both players are timid to say “Fuck this, I’ll do it myself.” Whichever player decides to do that, Bucks will be better off. Antetokounmpo had a nice bounceback night with 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Mirza Teletovic came out of nowhere for 25 points. John Wall and Bradley Beal combined for 44 points and sealed Bucks fate late.

Next up
They play a Toronto team tonight, and Raptors have given this team fits throughout the last two years. Raptors have won five straight versus Bucks, and ll of the last 12 meetings. Bucks look to avoid going under .500 for the first time since they played T Dot in the BC. Bucks get two days off before Chicago comes to town for Thursday. It’d be nice if Bucks were over .500 for a national televised game.

Charlie.