NBA Monday: San Antonio Spurs vs Milwaukee Bucks - Keys to Winning

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The Spurs always rely on total team effort to close out games

The San Antonio Spurs take on the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Neither team poses a clear advantage over the other as both teams have solid starting as well as second units. Momentum wise, the two squads are both pumped up coming off wins. There is not much that separates them at first glance, but with closer inspection we may see some indicators that might help point out which team has the winning formula heading into the game.

Edit
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Where Giannis goes, the Bucks will follow

THE BUCKS' KEYS TO VICTORY

If Milwaukee can sustain their winning ways for the entire season, then they will be a pleasant surprise to their fans and maybe even other team's fans. It is always good to see new blood standing up to the established powers that be. It is quite tiring to see the same jerseys battling it out for supremacy every year. The Bucks look like a team on a mission. And spearheading their campaign is Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak.  A point guard who stands 6'11" is giving new meaning to the rare "point forward" position. If Lebron James has revolutionized the point forward's role , Giannis seems bent on taking it to another level.

Against a veteran team like the Spurs, the Bucks will face tough competition. But they just beat the Cavaliers a week ago, there is no sense in doubting their capabilities. One big edge the Bucks have over the Spurs is their quickness. Both Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker can slice through defenses given the right situation. They should exploit this advantage as it would wear down the Spurs' interior defense dealing with not just one but two cutters . With Tim Duncan no longer around, the shaded lane is no longer as tough to penetrate. Pau Gasol often looks lost trying to defend the rim. The Spanish big man has not really been regarded as a dependable rim protector and now as he heads into the twilight of his career ,his old legs all the more becomes a liabilty in his defensive duties. Pick and pops or pick and rolls will make life miserable for Pau and even Aldridge.  Lamarcus needs a solid big man to back him up and make him effective underneath but with Gasol, he just doesn't have one. 

Milwaukee should capitalize on every possesion as the Spurs, being a well coached group, rarely makes a plethora of mistakes. They should treat each and every possesion as if it is a last possesion play designed to win the ballgame.  Run, attack, run. These should keep the Spurs defense guessing and way off balanced. 

Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Kawhi's the go to guy

THE SPURS' KEYS TO VICTORY

The San Antonio Spurs have been a model for ages when it comes to team play. Their concerted effort for teamwork has made them tough to defend and with Kawhi Leonard issued a license to kill by Greg Popovich, it makes the Silver and Black offense all the more puzzling for defenses to solve. Kawhi has stepped out of the shadows of San Antonio's Big 3 to become the Spurs' main man. He is regarded by many hoops analysts as the NBA's best two way player. However good Kawhi is on both ends of the floor, he will need some help in defending his Bucks counterpart.

Danny Green and Kyke Anderson can alternate in containing Antetokounmpo. Kawhi can take on Jabari Parker while Giannis is being handled by his teammates. Dewayne Dedmon may be utilized more in this game than Gasol for defensive purposes. It could be better if Patty Mills will start instead of Tony Parker as the former is a a lot better outside shooter and even peskier of a defender than Tony. Dejounte Murray can give the Spurs some quality time off the bench as Patty's sub. 

This game could go either way as both teams have strenghts, and also weaknesses that the other could take advantage of. Given the newfound firepower of Milwaukee, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Spurs' perfect road record gets snapped in this contest. This game has a good chance of going into overtime as the two are quite evenly matched. Should Milwaukee succeed in upending San Antonio, expect the Bucks mascot to run around the court with a placard announcing "Bucks Win!!!". However, if Milwaukee's winning streak comes to an end, then that placard should better read : " The Buck(s) stops here".