Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks Live Game Thread: The playoffs start now-ish

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (39-40) at Milwaukee Bucks (59-20)

WHAT: The Nets, winners of just three of their last 10, and holding on barely to a playoff spot in the East, really need this one.

WHERE: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WS

WHEN: 5:00 p.m. EST

HOW: WWOR, FSWIS; NBA League Pass

THE STORY: Game Preview

Milwaukee played swarming, suffocating defense against the Nets in the paint earlier in the week which disrupted a significant portion of the Nets offensive game plan. Kenny Atkinson’s squad leads the league in drives per game, but when Giannis and Brook Lopez guard you at the same time, it’s kind of tough to get a clean look at the basket. Literally. They’re gigantic. If that ends up being the case again on Saturday, the Nets will have to adjust their game plan once more, and maybe run a little more pick and pop than they’re used to. Joe Harris could probably run some effective screens in a matchup with someone like Pat Connaughton.

Eric Bledsoe, who was ejected for getting into it with Joel Embiid on Thursday night, torched the Nets earlier in the week with 29 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals and was a big problem on both ends of the floor. He was plus-21 for the game, highest mark on the team, and the Nets are going to have to figure out a better defensive scheme if they don’t want him running circles around them again. Bledsoe has had an interesting career path, and it’s a little disappointing he spent so many years of his prime toiling away in Phoenix, who were never good and never knew how to use him right. He is, just like a lot of these Bucks including Brook and even Giannis, in the perfect situation for his skillset now.

For more on the Bucks, check out: Brew Hoop