The Bucks have lost three straight and given up at least 127 points each time. Tonight at home against the Pacers, a stop matters more than a shot.
Last season
Milwaukee finished 32-50 and missed the playoffs. The defense ranked 26th in the league. That weakness has followed the team into this October, and it is the thread running through every loss so far.
This summer
On June 23 the Bucks sent Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis. Taylor Jenkins, hired April 30, is now building around that return and Myles Turner.
Oct. 16
Indiana beat Milwaukee 128-127 in a one-point game. Tonight's meeting is the rematch, and the Pacers come in 2-1 under Rick Carlisle, with Turner's old team one game ahead of the Bucks' place in the standings.
Oct. 21 to 24
Washington won 128-116, Chicago 132-125 and Philadelphia 127-116. Herro scored 34 against the Bulls. Jaquez had 21 in Philadelphia. The margins were 12, 7 and 11. Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote that preventing scoring is something the Bucks have not done well.
Tonight
Indiana plays with no rest, its second straight road game. Ivica Zubac is day-to-day, while Ben Sheppard, Johnny Furphy and T.J. McConnell are out. Milwaukee has had one day off and sits 14th, one game behind Orlando for tenth.
What is the Bucks' record this season?
Milwaukee is 0-3 after losses to the Wizards, Bulls and 76ers. The Bucks are 14th in the East.
Who is injured for the Pacers tonight?
Ben Sheppard, Johnny Furphy and T.J. McConnell are out. Ivica Zubac is day-to-day with an ankle issue.
