Doc Rivers admits that the Milwaukee Bucks struggle against teams that play with pace and space

Doc knows what the Bucks must improve on regarding defensive coverages.

© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Following a six-game streak where experts celebrated the Milwaukee Bucks' return to form, the team disappointed by suffering a 129-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on Tuesday. After the game, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers expressed his concern about his team’s ability to defend teams that like to play at a fast pace.

Concerned about the Bucks’ recent showings on defense

The long-time NBA coach has helped steer the Bucks’ ship in the right direction, winning six straight after the All-Star break. However, Milwaukee struggled in their recent four-game losing streak, losing three of four, including routs at the hands of the Kings and the Golden State Warriors—two teams that like to get out in transition and shoot long-range bombs.

“I worry about it, yeah,” Rivers said when asked if he was concerned about the Bucks’ inability to contain the Kings on Tuesday.

“I think that’s what we’re going to have to improve. Teams that play with pace and move the ball, we have struggled against all year. You know, the Indiana Pacers being that as an example. And so we have to figure out the right formula to do that. We will, but we don’t have it right now.”

the Kentucky connection was COOKING against the Bucks 🧑‍🍳👑:

👑 54 PTS
👑 12 AST
👑 11 REB
👑 54% FG@swipathefox 🤝 @AhmadMonk pic.twitter.com/fLWsCp1Jfw

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 13, 2024

Try not to overthink it

Rivers made a valid point regarding the Indiana Pacers, a team Milwaukee has struggled to keep in step with this season. The Bucks won only once in five games against the Pacers this season. Worse, the Pacers scored at least 122 points in each of those games, including a massive 142-point explosion in their last encounter on January 4.

“I’m not going to overplay it. It’s one game, but we had two of them on this trip,” Rivers said.

“And (we) blew one. This trip could have easily been 2-2, but it’s not. It is what it is. And we have to deal with that.”

Swipa steal ➡️ Swipa SLAM 👑 pic.twitter.com/BZwafhToHw

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 13, 2024

"When a guy like that is yelling for the ball, you gotta give it to him" – Giannis Antetokounmpo on Damian Lillard demanding the ball in crunch time