Playing the last four games, the Milwaukee Bucks have been in a worrying situation, with a 120-113 overtime loss in Chicago being the latest example.

Despite winning three of the last four games, the Bucks’ recent victories are raising concerns due to the level of competition they have faced.

The NBA championship favorites were slightly behind the Boston Celtics at the start of the 2023 season, but their narrow wins against some of the league’s weakest teams are unacceptable.

For instance, when facing the 2-12 Washington Wizards as 13.5-point favorites, the Bucks only managed to win by a margin of three points. Similarly, against the 4-11 Portland Trail Blazers, they had to return from a 26-point deficit to secure a six-point victory as 12.5-point favorites.

The pattern continued as they faced teams without key players, such as the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, and struggled to secure wins despite being favored.

What’s particularly concerning is that the Bucks have been playing poorly against injured or weak opponents for four consecutive games.

So, what’s the root of Milwaukee’s problems?

The team’s once-dominant defensive unit is no longer at the league’s top.

From 2018 to 2022, the Bucks consistently ranked at the top in defensive rating. However, in 2023, they have dropped to the 20th position, mainly due to their weakened perimeter defense.

Acquiring superstar Damian Lillard came at the cost of sacrificing their perimeter defense, as they traded away Jrue Holiday, an All-Defensive First-Team guard. This has left the Bucks with a lack of defensive talent on the outside, making them vulnerable in crucial situations.

In their recent games, the Bucks have allowed opposing players to exploit their defensive weaknesses, with some subpar performances from key players further adding to their concerns.

Despite the Bucks currently being the third seed in the Eastern Conference, their success can largely be attributed to the consistent high-scoring performances of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard. However, their defense has left much to be desired, resulting in losses when the duo falls short.

Giannis and Dame combined for 65 PTS in the Bucks W 🤝

Giannis: 33 PTS, 10 REB, 5 ASTDame: 32 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST

Milwaukee clinched East Group B and locked down the #1 seed in the Knockout Rounds 🏆 pic.twitter.com/KqCDWZv6pj

— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2023

However, even when the duo exceeds 60 points, it has not been sufficient to secure wins in some cases, highlighting the team’s reliance on their offensive output.

But despite their offensive prowess, the defensive issues have been holding the Bucks back from being the near-championship favorites they were projected to be in the preseason.

It’s worth noting that a strong defense has historically been integral to championship success, and the Bucks may need to address their defensive woes, potentially through a trade for a perimeter defender, to fulfill their potential.

Without improvements in their defensive capabilities, the tandem of Giannis and Lillard may carry a disproportionate load, potentially hindering the team’s chances in crucial games in the future.