The Milwaukee Bucks stay in Top 5 of the latest NBA Power Rankings

The Bucks are currently second in the Eastern Conference with a 44-24 record. They have already matched their total losses last season, when they went 58-24.

Roller-coaster offensive showing

NBA writer John Schuhmann noted that the Bucks went 4-3 on a stretch of eight straight games against teams with winning records. In that stretch, Milwaukee’s offense was not as fluid as they’ve been outscored by 6.2 points per 100 possessions over the seven games that included two 35-point losses.

Milwaukee’s defense under coach Doc Rivers has also been inconsistent. The Bucks have allowed 119.8 points per 100 possessions over Rivers’ first six games, 103.3 allowed per 100 over the next 10, and 124.0 over the last six.

Crucial remaining games for Milwaukee

The Bucks are 12-10 under Rivers so far. With their current win totals, the Bucks are already assured of play-in.

The Bucks’ remaining assignment will include two games against the league-leading Boston Celtics. With an NBA-best 54-14 record, the Celtics are the first team to clinch a playoff spot.

Milwaukee and Boston already met twice this season. The Celtics won in their first encounter, 119-116, before the Bucks responded with an emphatic 135-102 victory.

The Bucks are off for two days and will return to action against the Celtics on Wednesday.