Bucks turnaround, Cavaliers backcourt shuffle, Allen’s surge, Thompson’s confidence headline Central Division news
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The Milwaukee Bucks have reignited their season, winning eight of their last 10 games after starting February 1 with an 18-29 record and facing several more weeks without Giannis Antetokounmpo. The recent run has pushed Milwaukee back into the Eastern Conference play-in picture as the two-time MVP moves closer to returning.
Although the surge began a couple of days before the February 5 trade deadline, forward Bobby Portis said the absence of trade speculation since then has helped clear the locker-room atmosphere. “So much outside noise about trades, so much outside noise about everything else that doesn’t involve winning … Now the deadline’s over, guys can just go out there and hoop and just play free,” Portis explained.
Guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins have driven the 8-2 stretch, combining for 43.3 points and 13.2 assists per game. Porter is shooting 53.5 percent from the floor while Rollins has knocked down 49.1 percent of his three-point attempts. “The more that we’ve been working out together … we’re just confident in those stretches,” Porter said of the duo’s time closing games together.
Cavaliers lean on Schröder with Harden sidelined
With James Harden nursing a thumb injury on Wednesday, newly acquired guard Dennis Schröder made his first start for Cleveland and delivered 26 points and five assists in a narrow loss to Milwaukee. Head coach Kenny Atkinson, who previously coached Schröder in Atlanta, called the veteran “a starting point guard in this league.” Schröder turned an ankle late but expects to be available moving forward.
Allen maintains hot streak
Jarrett Allen has thrived even before Harden’s arrival. Motivated by a January 28 pep talk from Atkinson, the center is averaging 20.8 points and 11.2 rebounds while the Cavaliers have gone 9-3. Despite appearing in several trade rumors before the deadline, Allen ultimately stayed put.
Thompson touts defensive prowess in Detroit
In Detroit, third-year wing Ausar Thompson told The Athletic he considers himself “one of the NBA’s best defensive players,” adding, “I think I’m the best … but I can always get better.” The Pistons are expected to prioritize re-signing center Jalen Duren this summer, yet Thompson will also become extension-eligible in July as he enters the final season of his rookie contract.
Source: Hoops Rumors
