Bobby Provides Impactful Performance for Depleted Bucks Team
The odds were stacked against the Milwaukee Bucks on a Saturday night. The duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo was missing, and they were battling through the second game of a back-to-back, which often leads to a drop in performance. However, Bobby Portis was determined not to let that happen.
This seasoned forward didn't merely rise to the occasion; he seized it, scoring a career-high 34 points for the Bucks, doing so effectively on 14 of 21 shots. He almost achieved a triple-double, wracking up ten rebounds and eight assists against the struggling 4-22 Washington Wizards.
It's true that Washington is a struggling team, but Portis' performance wasn't just about exploiting their weaknesses. His performance demonstrated his continued significance to Milwaukee, especially during times when their stars are injured.
This was only the second time this season that Portis started, and he made an immediate impact. On Milwaukee's opening possession, he asserted his authority. After receiving a back screen from Khris Middleton, he moved into his favored spot on the left block.
Ryan Rollins delivered a pinpoint pass, and Portis spun over his right shoulder to hit a smooth 12-foot turnaround jumper. This set the tone for the rest of the game. He used his size, footwork, and skill in the paint to score efficiently, scoring his next two baskets off of backs-to-the-basket moves and soft finishes. By the time the first quarter ended, Portis had 13 points on 6 of 7 shooting.
This level of assertiveness had been lacking in a season marked by a drop in Portis' efficiency. According to Cleaning the Glass, he's averaging 114.2 points per 100 shot attempts, ranking in the 43rd percentile among bigs. That's a significant drop from the 118.9 he posted during his first season in Milwaukee, much of it due to his shot selection.
Portis has developed an affinity for mid-range jumpers, taking as many of them this season as he has threes and shots at the rim combined. The problem is that mid-range shots are the least efficient looks in basketball, especially when contested, and they've hindered his scoring output.
But against Washington, this trend reversed. Of Portis's 21 shots, nine were from beyond the arc, and five were inside the paint. In other words, two-thirds of his shots came from the most efficient spots on the court. It's no coincidence this led to a scoring explosion.
Furthermore, he didn't force the action or stray too far from the team's offensive philosophy. Instead, he allowed the game to come to him, moved the ball, and took advantage of the opportunities the defense presented.
This timely performance could not have come at a better time. Portis has been the subject of trade rumors since the offseason, but Milwaukee has opted to keep him, valuing his offensive versatility and his ability to create mismatches. While his defensive shortcomings remain a concern, his scoring potential is a luxury that many contenders would love to have off the bench—or as a starter in situations like this one.
If Portis wants to solidify his value to Milwaukee, Saturday's game served as a blueprint. More threes, more aggressive attacks at the rim, fewer mid-range jumpers. This shift, coupled with a renewed focus on defense, could make him invaluable during the playoffs.
At least for now, Portis has reminded everyone why Milwaukee trusts him. Performances like this aren't just beneficial on starless nights; they're essential for a Bucks team aiming for another deep postseason run.
Saturday wasn't just a big night for Portis; it was a preview of the player Milwaukee needs him to be.
Despite the odds being against them due to missing key players and playing the second game of a back-to-back, the Milwaukee Bucks managed to pull off an impressive victory, with Bobby Portis stepping up in a big way. He scored a career-high 34 points against the Washington Wizards, showcasing his importance to the team in the absence of stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
