As much as the Bucks have struggled this season, especially in the second half, there is reason for optimism as the team continues its West Coast road trip.
Once again, head coach Scott Skiles' team is among the league's best defensive squads. The Bucks entered Saturday night's game agaisnt the Los Angeles Clippers second in turnovers forced (19.2 per game), third in opponents' field-goal percentage (.412), three-point field goal percentage (.269) and 10th in points allowed (91.8).
"We're OK," Skiles said before the Bucks lost, 92-86, to the Clippers Saturday. "We have a ways to go, though. During parts of the game, we're getting away from what we normally do. We're getting a little soft on the ball for instance, we're having trouble with pick-and-rolls."
Skiles isn't overly concerned about the defense, both because of the overall body of work and the early nature of the season. He had said throughout training camp that the condensed nature of the season would necessitate a lot of on-the-job training, and that theory has played out so far.
"We've got a lot of new players trying to learn in a short amount of time," Skiles said.
A victory Saturday night would have been important for Milwaukee, which dropped to 2-5 on the season with its fourth straight loss. The Bucks finish the trip with a Sunday night game at Phoenix.
"Nobody wants to go home 2-6," Skiles said. "We've got to make a stand right now. A bunch of teams with around our kind of record. You can't afford this year to fall too far behind."
All hands on deck: As has been the case for much of this trip, Skiles was shorthanded against the Clippers.
Center Andrew Bogut was still away from the team for personal reasons, and small forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. was still out with a groin injury. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute sat out with ongoing soreness in his knee, and Beno Udrih (shoulder) was back on the bench.
Skiles played first-round draft pick Tobias Harris for the first time this season, and he finished with four points in nine minutes. Harris hadn't been available due to the aftereffects of a bout of dehydration during the preseason.
The coach wasn't sure what to expect from Harris but does think he'll play a significant role with the Bucks as the season rolls along.
"We really have had very limited practice time," Skiles said. "We like we've seen, we just haven't seen enough yet. We look at him as an important part of the team, though.
"He does a bunch of things very well. he can shoot, he can handle, good size, pro athleticism – which we need – and he can go down in the post on smaller people."
Homecoming: Saturday marked a homecoming for Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings, who grew up in nearby Compton. This is the Bucks' only trip to Los Angeles this season
It's a little different scenario in LA these days, where the Clippers, thanks to the combination of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin – have become darlings of the city.
"The fact that this has been a Lakers town forever, it's exciting for the city," Jennings said.
