Opponent: Milwaukee Bucks (8-12)
Efficiencies:
Offensive: 101.0
Defensive: 103.2
So, we meet again? Tonight is the second matchup of the year between Milwaukee and Charlotte, with the Bucks winning the initial contest, 79-74 (recap here). If you do not recall that particular outing, it was the night the Bobcats had their best defensive and worst offensive outings of the season (to that point), at the same time. Epic, right? Ok, not really. What about tonight?
Well, if you look at the 2 teams' efficiencies, you would think it was a pretty even matchup. And you would be right...kind of. Charlotte and Milwaukee do boast identical net efficiencies, both at -2.2. The Bucks number, however, has come against tougher competition, making it more impressive (or less depressing, considering its negative nature). Milwaukee has faced a cumulative opponent for the season with efficiencies of 107.9 O and 102.3 D - net of +5.6, so kind of like playing Orlando every night. The Bobcats also sport a strength of schedule that is positive (and positive in this case is bad, I guess, indicating tougher opposition), but at only a net of +0.5. So, the Bucks -2.2 looks better than the Bobcats -2.2. But do they look better?
Over the Bobcats last 10 games, they are at a net efficiency of -0.3, so nearly even. Partly due to schedule - but also, the Bobcats are slowly but surely starting to get Larry Brown's systems (or at least I like to think so). I had hoped to make this point even more optimistic, by being able to show that Milwaukee had not played as well of late, but, unfortunately for me (and the Bobcats), the Bucks have been even better over their last 10 - at +0.8.
Ok - so they are two fairly evenly matched teams - Bogut and Emeka at the 5. Sean May against Charlie V. Richard Jefferson and Crash. Redd and Richardson. Felton and Sessions/Ridnour. It may come down to the Bobcats keeping the Bucks from destroying them on the boards (Milwaukee has been among the best rebounding teams so far) and continued strong play from the Emeka and Raymond pairing. Should be competitive, if nothing else.
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