Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Keys to beating the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 29

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guraded by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game at Staples Center on March 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guraded by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game at Staples Center on March 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

3.) Guard the transition opportunities

This may come as a shock, but the Bucks love to get out and run. Not only do they have a one man fast break in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but coach Mike Budenholzer compounds this by flanking him with as many shooters as possible.

This has resulted in the team ranking 1st in transition opportunities per game, 3rd in points added via transition per 100 possessions, and 1st in pace. Guarding transition offense has been a weak point for this Lakers team all season, as the team’s age skews on the older side, and as result, are less likely to get out and run.

One way for the team to mitigate this issue will be to opt for a one and done approach to their offense, and get back on defense after only one shot attempt. This may seem counter-intuitive for a team that features several high level rebounders, but if these guys stay and attempt to crash the offensive glass, that will mean easy buckets on the other end for the Bucks.

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