After starting the season 52-8, the Milwaukee Bucks dropped four of five before the season was suspended in March due to COVID-19. And, when the season resumed in Orlando, the Bucks promptly dropped five of eight. 

Thus, the Bucks went 4-9 over their previous 13 games heading into the playoffs – and then lost Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against Orlando.

Cause for concern? You betcha.

“When the season was in its normalcy, they were a very dominant regular-season team,” Bucks TV play-by-play voice Jim Paschke said on After Hours with Amy Lawrence. “When they got to the bubble, they didn’t seem to be the same team. However, they started to play a little better, and when they were beaten by Orlando in Game 1, it woke them up and of course they were able to win the next four.”

Indeed, the Bucks have won four straight games – all by double digits.

“They’re playing pretty good basketball now,” Paschke said. “I don’t think that they’re at the top of their game yet, but they’re improving every day – and that’s been their mantra all season long: just get better every day. They’re going to have to do that in the second round against Miami.”

The Bucks were perhaps too reliant on Giannis Antetokounmpo during their rough patch. Then again, it’s tough to blame them. The reigning MVP – and current Defensive Player of the Year – averaged 30.6 points, 16.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists against Orlando.

Antetokounmpo, though, might need more help offensively against Miami, which swept the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers in the first round.

“It typically comes out of excellent defense,” Paschke said of Milwaukee’s offense. “The Bucks like to say, ‘We work hard on defense so we can have fun on offense,’ and very typically when they’re playing at their best, that’s what’s happening. Offensively, they can move it around and they have the shooters of course. Kyle Korver is coming off the bench. Brook Lopez can hit threes; he’s been off a little bit this year compared to last year, but he in the bubble has been phenomenal. He has a house on the Disney property, so he’s very comfortable. Even though he’s in a hotel, he’s very comfortable. It’s his spot. He loves it. He’s been very good. Khris Middleton has been pretty good in the bubble. Kyle Korver has been shooting lights out in the bubble. 

“So they do have their shooters, and their offense is pretty good when it’s clicking,” Paschke continued. “But typically it’s coming off some good defense.”