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"Mike Budenholzer has done a really good job!”- Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups praises the Milwaukee Bucks’ much-improved defense

The Milwaukee Bucks are forcing their opponents to miss a lot of trifectas.

Matthew Dugandzic

"Mike Budenholzer has done a really good job!”- Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups praises the Milwaukee Bucks’ much-improved defense
"Mike Budenholzer has done a really good job!”- Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups praises the Milwaukee Bucks’ much-improved defense /
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Milwaukee is having a stellar run in the current season, and the Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups credits the success to the Bucks' stingy perimeter defense.

Chauncey praises Bud

Billups witnessed how Milwaukee has significantly improved defensively when the Bucks shackled the Blazers' shooters en route to tallying a 127-108 win on Monday night.

Portland made just nine of their 36 attempts from the three-point, and Billups was quick to point out Milwaukee's improved defense.

"They made some adjustments to their defense this year, to be honest with you," Billups said. "They used to give up like the most 3s in the league because of that drop coverage. Not this year. I've got to give them a ton of credit. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer has done a really good job."

Billups' observation is on point

The Bucks' ability to challenge three-point shots has allowed them to give up only 111.8 points a game, ranking seventh in the entire league. And when the opposing teams miss from long range, the Bucks are always there, ready to finish the defensive play by securing the rebounds.

Midway through the season, the Bucks are first in rebounding, averaging 49.1 boards per game. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez rank first and second in rebounds and blocks with averages of 12.4 and 2.5, anchoring the Bucks' solid defense.

With their solid defensive ploy, the Bucks were able to stay atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 37-17 record. Milwaukee is just half a game behind the conference leaders Boston Celtics, who are 38-16.

According to Billups, the Bucks' defense is still far from perfect, but enough to make their opponents bleed for points.

"They're still a really dominant defense but they're not giving up as many 3s, so you've got to work even harder to get those looks," Billups said.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.