Before I get into basketball, I'd like to take the time to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope this Thanksgiving Day finds you with plenty to be thankful for.
Bucks fans certainly have a lot to give thanks for early on this season. While the last two games on the road haven't resulted in wins, Milwaukee fans can sit down at the table knowing that their team is in first place on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2001.
Monday's loss in Charlotte and Wednesday's in Miami had a lot of similarities. A lot of missed shots and bad possessions down the stretch while the opponent got hot left the Bucks watching 11 and seven-point fourth quarter leads evaporate.
What the Bucks did show Wednesday was resiliency and tremendous effort. Cold shooting and the inability to keep Miami out of the middle of the paint led to an early 18-point hole. Instead of folding and heading into the holiday, Milwaukee fought and erased the lead.
The Heat won't blow too many 18-point leads at home and lose. They didn't, but Milwaukee had a shot at the end of regulation to complete an unbelievable comeback against the champs. But yet again, it was a Monta Ellis isolation that resulted in a bad look at a 3-pointer.
Ellis has not been good beyond the arc this season. It's just not his game. But for the second straight game, with the Bucks having a chance to take the lead with time running out, it was Ellis taking a 3. That's not going to win Milwaukee a lot of games. He's much more deadly off the dribble either creating for himself or a teammate.
While the two losses were a missed opportunity for the Bucks, they have to move on quickly because two games against division rival Chicago are up next.
The Bulls and Bucks play at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee Saturday night, then again Monday night at the United Center in Chicago. By the way, the game is at 8 p.m. Saturday, not the usual 7:30 p.m. Saturday night start time. Why the late start? Sesame Street Live has two Saturday shows at the arena that day.
It's a good chance for the Bucks to build on their division lead over the Bulls. Chicago isn't playing well right now, losers of three straight. Catching them before they find their groove, or even before Derrick Rose returns, is big, because the Bucks know that the Bulls will be there in the end.
Anyway, back to turkey. The Bucks will be back at practice Friday, check back for more then.
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