2.) Limit the 3-point shots
In addition to being one of the fastest teams in the league, the Bucks are also one of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams as well. As of right now, they rank 3rd in overall attempts from three at 39.4 attempts per game. Nearly every player on their roster is at least a threat from deep, and Giannis is the engine that drives all of that shooting.
His ability to pull defenders closer to rim is the opposite of Stephen Curry, whose otherworldly shooting pulls defenders away from it. It’s this gravity that allows the Bucks to launch from deep, as the opposition is generally too preoccupied with making sure Giannis doesn’t have an easy drive to the basket.
What makes this Bucks offensive scheme even more potent is that their bigs, primarily Brook Lopez, and Ersan Ilyasova, are used as floor spacers, pulling opposing bigs away from the paint. This opens up the driving lanes for Giannis, and leads to kick outs, and the ball swinging from side to side until the open shot materializes.
It’s going to be a taller order to make sure each 3-point shot the Bucks take is a tough one, but if any team is capable of doing, it’s this 2nd ranked Lakers defense.