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The Milwaukee Bucks have made an explosive start to the 2022-23 NBA season. They lead the way in the Eastern Conference.
With a franchise-best 9-0, the Bucks have the best record in the entire league. They also remain the lone undefeated team in the NBA.
The 2021 NBA champions are playing great basketball on both ends. Here are three keys to their great start:
#1 - Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday are among the best two-way players in the NBA
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday are the focal points in the Milwaukee Bucks' playing style. Along with Khris Middleton, they have a formed a "Big-3" in Milwaukee and have made the Bucks a legit title contender in the NBA.
With Middleton still out after wrist surgery, Antetokounmpo and Holiday have taken over, playing at an MVP level in the first nine games of the season.
Jrue Holiday is averaging 20 points, 5.7 rebounds and eight assists, on 43.5% from the field and 36.1% from beyond the arc.
Prior to Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Holiday was on a tear, averaging 28.5 points in the last four games and coming up big for Milwaukee.
His scoring numbers, along with his ability to move the ball and dish assists, have offered an extra weapon to the Bucks' offense. In addition, he is an elite on- and off-ball defender, which is crucial for a defense-first team like the Bucks.
Jrue Holiday is the piece the franchise was missing and his arrival in February of 2021 made the Bucks a powerhouse in the East.
The veteran guard complements Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is a force to be reckoned with in the league.
The "Greek Freak" is playing at an MVP level for another season. He has gotten off to a hot start, having his sights set on returning to the NBA Finals.
The two-time NBA MVP (2019, 2020) is averaging 32.6 points, 12.9 boards and 5.8 assists in eight regular-season games, on 55.3% shooting from the field.
Since their season opener against Philadelphia 76ers, Antetokounmpo has been unstoppable, averaging 34.7 points and 12.7 boards over the last seven games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has dominated his opponents offensively, playing as a point forward, while he is also great defensively, especially when playing off the ball.
Overall, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday have been among the best two-way players in the NBA and have a leading role in the Bucks' explosive start (9-0).
#2 - Defense is there for the Bucks
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday on the roster, it doesn't come as a surprise that the Bucks are among the best defensive teams in the league.
Milwaukee has the best defense in the entire league, allowing its opponents to score just 101.1 points per game.
Their defensive rating is No.2 in the league, with just 100.6 points per 100 possessions. The Bucks are also third in blocks, with 6.6 per game, and second in opponents' points inside the paint, with 42.4 per game.
Mike Budenholzer's team has a lot of great on-ball defenders on their roster, like Antetokounmpo, Jevon Carter, Bobby Portis and Holiday, while Brook Lopez has elevated his game on both ends.
Hence, the Bucks are able to create a lot of defensive pressure both in the perimeter and inside the paint.
Milwaukee's on-ball defense has led to points from steals, as the Bucks are unstoppable when running the floor in transition. Milwaukee leads the NBA in steals with 17 per game.
#3 - 3-point shooting creates another dimension for the Bucks' playing style
With a dominant player on the floor like the "Greek Freak," it would make sense for the Bucks to have a lot of great shooters on the roster.
Aside from three-point specialist Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Pat Connaughton (currently injured), and Brook Lopez also shoot the ball well from the perimeter, while Bobby Portis has stepped up from beyond the arc, especially in corner threes.
Having great three-point shooters on the team helps Milwaukee space the floor and create a lot of open shots, especially when their opponents focus on stopping Antetokounmpo by double- or triple-teaming him.
Milwaukee is averaging 34.3% from three this season and 35.8% over its last three games.
Despite their hot start, the Bucks remain humble and take it game-by-game. They now have a two-game series vs. the Atlanta Hawks and games vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.
Hence, Milwaukee could remain undefeated and climb to 13-0 before a tough series of games versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls, among others.
