December 12th, 2016: Bucks 100 Raptors 122

The Bucks opened the week on Monday in Toronto against the Raptors.  The 22 point loss is familiar territory for this series.  The Raptors have had the Bucks number recently, and this game was no different.  Milwaukee's defense was a total no-show in The Six.  Raptors star DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points on 7-11 shooting, including a perfect 15-15 from the free throw line.  Terrence Ross, a bench player, was on fire from behind the 3 point line.  His 4-6 three point shooting contribute to his 25 total points.  Kyle Lowry, another Raptors star, scored 18 and had 7 assists.  Toronto had an amazing night scoring the ball as a team.  51.9% from the field, 56.0% from 3 point land, and 85.7% from the free throw line is hard to stop.  For Milwaukee, Giannis and Jabari continued to be a dynamic duo, scoring 30 and 27 respectively.  The Bucks did have offensive woes as well as defensive ones.  Milwaukee couldn't buy a 3 pointer.  They made just 4 of their 24 three-point attempts.  It was Raptors domination from start to finish, and an awful way to start the week for the Bucks.

December 15th, 2016: Bulls 97 Bucks 108

Don't let the 11 point margin of victory fool you.  Milwaukee almost lost this game late.  The Bucks took a 22 point lead into the 4th quarter, and the Bulls tried to pull off a comeback with a late surge.  Fortunately for Milwaukee, it was too little too late, and the defense of the Bucks was able to stop the effort.  In quite the contrast to the Raptors game, the Bucks were on fire from behind the arc.  55% (11-20) 3 point shooting helped the Bucks beat the rivals from Chicago.  It helps too when you see 2 of your core players score 58 points combined.  Giannis scored 30 and Jabari scored 28.  The Bulls turned the ball over 16 times, double the total TOs from Milwaukee.  Chicago also struggled with shooting.  47.3% from the field and 26.3% from 3 won't get it done.  This is a problem the Bulls will have for awhile, and hopefully a weak point the Bucks can attack.  

December 16th, 2016: Bucks 95 Bulls 69

?If the Bucks win in this fashion in Chicago a few more times, we might need to start calling the United Center the Bradley Center South.  Milwaukee steamrolled past the Bulls in Chicago.  While it's nice to buy into hype once in a while, this game highlighted the problems with Chicago more than it showcased the talents of the Bucks.  The Bulls have a major problem with shooting.  A duo of Rondo and Wade pretty much guarantees that your team will be shooting bricks, and that's exactly what happened.  Chicago had a pitiful performance.  They shot 30.4% from the field and 23.8% from 3 point land.  Milwaukee wasn't exactly lights out, but they did make 10 of their 25 attempted threes.  They also shot 46.3% from the field.  Giannis led the way in scoring with 22 points.  He racked up another double-double by getting 11 assists.  This game was all Milwaukee, and was a very impressive road win in a tough arena to play.  

Milwaukee ends the week at 13-12.  They have a tough week with a home-and-home with Cleveland, then host the Wizards.