A lack of fouls could reveal a flaw in the Bucks' game.
The Milwaukee Bucks dropped a game 139-122 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday and losing by that big of a margin despite a strong scoring night of their own is a telling sign of the state of the Bucks' defensive capabilities at the moment and of what needs to change going forward.
The Bucks were principally outclassed when it came to rebounding, grabbing eight less total boards and seven less offensive boards than the 76ers, but they also committed just 12 fouls in the game.
While a lack of fouling can be a good thing and a sign of a team playing disciplined defense, in the Bucks' case it's more likely that the little fouling they committed meant that the team was a whole wasn't applying enough physicality in their defense to stop the 76ers from going on runs.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) looses control of the ball while driving against Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesNot Enough Physicality
That lack of physicality can be a big reason why Philadelphia was able to score close to 140 points in the game.
"I felt like we could have been a little more physical, for sure," Ryan Rollins said after the game (via Bucks).
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesPhysicality is going to be a major question for the Bucks going forward now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is out with an injury. Antetokounmpo stands out as one of the most physical players in the NBA as a whole, but he was certainly the driving force behind the Bucks' physical presence on the court.
Missing him means that the Bucks are going to have to find a new way to play that will need to involve more movement of the ball and more pressure from everyone on the court without the Greek freak to rely on, something they weren't able to do in the past when Antetokounmpo was out.
Denver Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett (24) drives towards the basket around Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesWhat the Team Needs to Do to Be More Physical
Games like the loss against the 76ers are clear reminders of all the things that the Bucks lack as a cohesive unit and their inability to apply pressure on hot players to slow down runs is something that will need to be addressed.
The strong scoring night that the Bucks had to put up 122 points of their own is a good sign for how the Milwaukee offense will fair in an Antetokounmpo-less future, which is encouraging, but places even more emphasis on how the defense needs to change.
Physicality is one of the most valuable aspects of any NBA team's game and it's more necessary than ever with the abundance of skill and athleticism present in players across the league.
For the Bucks to keep up, getting physical is the first thing that needs to change.