Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Malik Beasley has established himself as one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the NBA this season.
The clear evidence is that he hit 3.0 threes per game at an astounding 47.0 percent rate.
Aside from his reliable shooter, however, the Bucks also rely on Beasley to be a defensive cog in their backcourt — a role he failed to masterfully fill in Milwaukee’s 122-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
Beasley finished with 12 points in Monday’s loss after hitting four more 3-pointers against Indiana. That led to Indiana’s backcourt tandem of Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell controls the game in crunch time.
Beasley isn’t exactly an elite defensive stopper, but if it weren’t for his tragic foul trouble, he likely would have made an impact on defenses late in the game.
Malik Beasley of the Milwaukee Bucks, a notorious underdog in the current NBA season with a remarkable 47.0 percent shooting percentage of 3.0 threes per game, found himself in a recent 122-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers with defensive problems.
Although Beasley scored 12 points on four 3-pointers, he struggled late in the game due to foul trouble on defense. As Beasley reflected on his performance, he realized the fouls affected his aggressiveness and defensive performance.
Beasley disputed some of the mistakes with the judges because he felt some of them were questionable.
However, he recognized the need to improve his defensive contributions and maintain his role in exploiting the scoring advantages. The foul trouble Beasley faced allowed Indiana to get Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell to take control at key moments.
As a result, the Bucks fell behind 3-1 in their regular season series against the Pacers, showing the importance of Beasley’s defensive challenge in this matchup.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley suffered a concussion in the team’s 122-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers, which affected both the defensive effort and the outcome of the game.
Beasley, a true outside threat, expressed frustration with his offense and admitted to improving the defense.
Beasley’s offensive woes and defensive struggles really hurt the Bucks’ performance and a 3-1 loss to the Pacers, highlighting the importance of his role as a defensive scorer and outside shooter.
Malik Beasley suffered a concussion in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 122-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Beasley acknowledged his desire to improve his defense and expressed frustration with the bad calls.
Malik Beasley’s fouls and defensive mistakes against the Pacers show the importance of maintaining defensive consistency for the Bucks and the impact their performance has on the team’s standings.
It was a big win for the Bucks, who avenged the loss to Indiana’s 128-119 a week earlier in the NBA Finals.
Malik Beasley on Pacers beating them four out of five times: “I know we’re going to play them in the playoffs, and boy, it’s not going to be pretty for them.” pic.twitter.com/8uv4LmN2EA
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 5, 2024
While that loss was avenged, it’s clear that the IST cancellation against the Pacers is still weighing heavily on the Bucks’ minds.
We’ll have to see that on Monday night when these two teams meet again. Bucks guard Malik Beasley said he’s looking forward to Monday’s game.
The Pacers aren’t the only contenders in the Midwest, but Beasley said he wants to avenge the playoff loss to Indiana.
“We were eliminated in the regular league, so we had a little bit of competition for that.”
After competing on New Year’s Day in the Fiserv Conference, these two teams will head to Indiana for a rematch on Wednesday night.
“We wanted to win a tournament in the season for the guys and for us,”
he said.
“It’s kind of a playoff game, especially with back-to-back games against them. It’s like a miniseries.”
For what it’s worth, the Pacers are 2-1 against the Bucks this season.
Fans had this to say:
1-4 against them but magically in the playoffs u guys gonna destroy them? Might wanna get some perimeter defense then
— Ethan Price (@Paradox_EP) January 5, 2024
There is not a single playoff matchup the Pacers could get that I would feel better about than Milwaukee
— Shane Steichen COTY (9-7) (19-14) (@IndyColtsSZN) January 5, 2024
Why is this man even getting interviewed..? And why is he using the interview to write checks he needs Giannis to cash for him..? 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/J2fzEESdcJ
— D Madden (@D_Madden_) January 5, 2024
The most interesting thing is him predicting the matchup being 2-7 or 1-8.
So are the Bucks gonna be the 1st or 2nd seed in the East in the post season? The hardest part of their schedule is still yet to come. I'm just saying.
— Peetie Peete (@Peetie_Peete) January 5, 2024
That’s funny cause ain’t no way in hell the bucks end up as 1 or 2 seed. More likely the 3 vs 6 or 4 vs 5. Bucks have had an easy schedule this far. Still top 4 in the east but no way they have a 1 or 2 seed.
— j (@Crambo954) January 5, 2024
I’m bookmarking this, and absolutely flaming the Bucks if we end up a higher seed like the 3, 4 or 5 and we face them in the 4/5 matchup or the 3/6
— Mikey O (19-14) (@michael21201_) January 5, 2024
Yall lost 4/5 times bro, if it was 3-2 or something I get it but you lost in the IST and 3 in the regular season. If you’re gonna talk shit, back it up
— Luke Stevens (@Luker0517) January 5, 2024
