Road to playoffs getting tougher
Post-trade skid threatens chances
— It was not too surprising the Milwaukee Bucks would take a few steps back after the major deal they made at the trade deadline a few weeks ago.
But they did not anticipate a deep slide that would threaten their playoff hopes.
Following a winless four-game trip against Western Conference teams, there is cause for concern.
The Bucks remain in the sixth spot in the East, but urgency is rising as they enter the final 21 games of the season, starting with a crucial home game against the Washington Wizards at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.
Washington (34-27) also has taken a dip after a torrid start to the season but remains two games ahead of Milwaukee (3229).
The Bucks have posted a 2-6 record since making the Feb. 19 trade that sent point guard Brandon Knight to Phoenix and brought a new set of point guards, Michael Carter-Williams from Philadelphia and Tyler Ennis from the Suns.
Carter-Williams, the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year, had no illusions he would simply plop down in the Bucks offense and instantly be comfortable.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd also knew a transition period would be required. There were some positive signs in the Bucks’ 102-93 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
“When he attacks, he’s at his best,” Kidd said of Carter-Williams. “He’s 6-6, 6-7 where he can get to the basket. Also he can find guys.
“I thought he did a great job in attacking.”
Carter-Williams seemed more comfortable with his teammates and had 16 points and seven assists in his best all-around game on the trip.
“We go back to the drawing board and fix our mistakes,” Carter-Williams said. “Still get our chemistry going and our rhythm going.
“I think the ball is sticking a little bit. We’re looking around and it’s not flowing. We’re a little stagnant. That starts with me and me getting used to these guys.
“Our offense will improve.”
The Bucks went on an 18-0 run against the Warriors at the end of the second quarter and beginning of the third, some evidence the offense is reviving.
Nothing will help the Bucks’ confidence more than a couple of victories, after being stuck on 32 since beating Philadelphia at home more than a week ago in CarterWilliams’ debut.
Milwaukee now must go at least 10-11 the rest of the way to assure a winning season. Difficult games remain as the Bucks still face Cleveland at home twice, play at Memphis and New Orleans and meet Eastern teams vying for playoff spots, including Boston, Brooklyn, Indiana and Miami.
The Bucks still have two meetings each against the Pacers, Celtics and Nets.
“March is a very important month for us,” Bucks center Zaza Pachulia said. “We have goals. It’s getting closer to the playoffs; there’s not that much time.
“Every practice, every shootaround is very important. Every film session. The coaches have done a great job showing us on the films what’s right and what’s wrong.
“Now it’s up to us to execute those things.”
Kidd has displayed plenty of confidence in the 20-yearold Ennis, who went from playing in the D-League to regular backup minutes with the Bucks.
The former Syracuse player, the 18th overall pick in last year’s draft, has made some mistakes but also shows plenty of speed and scoring potential. Ennis contributed nine points, two steals and one assist in 15 minutes against Golden State.
“I have the freedom to go out there and make plays,” Ennis said. “When I come in I just want to bring the energy up, get out on the break and make sure we increase the lead and not decrease it.
“It’s tough going on a road trip with two new point guards. I think we showed (against the Warriors) when we put it together, we really have a chance of competing.
“I think we’re just going to continue to get better.”
The Bucks don’t want to slip to the seventh or eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, which likely would place them in a first-round matchup with Atlanta or Cleveland.
That would bring back memories of the 2012-’13 season when they slumped to eighth in the final weeks before being swept in four games by Miami in the first round of the playoffs.
A better memory is the 2009-’10 team that went 46-36, using a strong finish to clinch the sixth spot in the East. Even without an injured Andrew Bogut, the Bucks took the third-seeded Hawks to seven games before losing a first-round series.
Milwaukee will play its next three games at home, also facing New Orleans on Monday and Orlando on Wednesday.
“We’re watching a lot of film, trying to learn each other,” Bucks guard Khris Middleton said. “It’s going to take time, but we’ve got 20-some games left and we’ve got to finish as strong as we can.
“It will be good to get back home and regroup. Hopefully we get some wins at home.”