Predicting Each Game for Monta Ellis and the Bucks in April

The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves on the outside looking in to the playoffs. With a 23-27 record, the Bucks have a lot of work to do before they can even think about making the postseason.  

The addition of Monta Ellis was supposed to be a game changer for this young Milwaukee Bucks team, but so far the results have been mixed.  

Let's take a look at the remainder of the season for the Milwaukee Bucks, and predict how the season will play out when all is said and done.

March 30 at Cleveland Cavaliers

Usually, when teams see a game with the Cavaliers on the schedule, they expect a win, but this season, the Cavs have shown a toughness and never say die attitude.

They are not going to go down without a fight. 

Kyrie Irving has more than lived up to the hype, averaging 18 points per game while dishing out 5.5 assists per game. To put up these kind of numbers all while shooting 47 percent from the field is impressive to say the least.  

While the game should be close, the Bucks coming off of two days rest will simply have too many weapons for the under-manned Cavs team to handle.

Led by strong play from Monta Ellis, the Bucks will pull away late.

Bucks win 107-103.

March 31 vs. Memphis Grizzlies

In terms of match-ups, the Memphis Grizzlies may be one of the toughest teams for the Milwaukee Bucks to play.

They will primarily find themselves in an uphill battle in the frontcourt, where Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol average about 30 points and 18 rebounds a game between them.

Luckily for the Bucks, it looks like Gasol may be out a week or two with a sprained ankle.

However the Grizzlies still have a load of young athletic talent. Rudy Gay is all over the court, and Mike Conley's speed will be problematic for the Bucks.

Bucks Lose 98-84.

April 2 at Washington Wizards

Winning against lottery teams is what the Bucks have been relatively successful at this year. However, every now and then, they throw up a clunker. This has the potential to be one of those games.  

On the road against a team they should beat, the intensity likely won't be there. The Bucks will be content to shoot jumpers.  

Meanwhile, Brandon Jennings will have a very difficult time staying in front of the talented John Wall. Wall will distribute the ball well, and the recent addition of Nene to the Wizards will prove to be a enormous problem for the Bucks.  

True centers in this NBA are a valuable commodity, and one that the Milwaukee squad no longer has to match up with the likes of a Nene.

Bucks Lose 88-84.

April 4 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

After a loss to a team the Bucks know they should have beaten in the Wizards, they'll come for blood against the Cavs.  

Monta Ellis dominates Anthony Parker and goes off for 30 plus points.  The real difference in the game comes from the Bucks bench who contributes nearly 40 points.  

Kyrie Irving is going to get his, but the Bucks are able to contain the Cavs' other weapons like Antwan Jamison.

Bucks Win 111-95.

April 6 vs. Charlotte Bobcats

The Bucks realize they have a very favorable stretch of three games and will do all they can to beat the teams they should.  

The Bobcats are the worst team in the NBA. And although the Bucks lost to them in the first game of the season, the Bucks will handle business against an inferior team.

Ellis and Jennings combine for over 40, and Illyasova has 13 rebounds.

Bucks Win 102-90.

April 7 vs. Portland Trail Blazers

By this point in the season, the Bucks will likely still be sniffing the playoffs. The Blazers are all but done for the year, and the Bucks will be tough at home on a Saturday night.

The Bucks simply have no one who can truly contain LaMarcus Aldridge, but they will do just enough to gain a late lead.

Delfino and Dunleavy will light it up for the Bucks from 3-point range as Monta Ellis slashes to the hoop for 20 points.  

Bucks Win 99-98.

April 9 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are simply on a different skill level than the Bucks. Every now and then Milwaukee may get hot and catch the Thunder on an off night to pick up a win, but if the teams played ten times in a row, the Thunder would probably win seven or eight times.  

Milwaukee has seemed to step it up a level against elite competition this season. In this one, Luc Richard will have the unenviable task of controlling Kevin Durant. He will do an admirable job, but Durant is still going to get his.  

The rest of the talent on the Thunder will be too much for the Bucks to handle as the Thunder push for a high playoff seeding. Russell Westbrook will have a double-double while James Harden gives Oklahoma City a push off the bench.  

The Bucks simply cannot keep up with the Thunder's high-octane offense.

Bucks Lose 114-101.

April 11 vs. New York Knicks

This will likely be the biggest game of the Bucks season. With the recent three game win streak, the Bucks will pull within two games of the Knicks, who face a tougher schedule down the stretch.

Monta Ellis will realize the gravity of the game, and will show up to the tune of 22 points and 9 assists. Brandon Jennings will play Jeremy Lin tough while forcing him to commit 7 turnovers from the point position. 

The Knicks stars, however, will keep them in the game to the end. The Bucks will have a one point lead and miss a three-point jumper by Jennings, giving the Knicks have the final possession with 6 seconds on the clock.  

They inbound to an isolation play for Carmelo Anthony who hits a 17 foot fade away shot over Mbah a Moute.

Bucks lose 100-99. 

April 13 at Detroit Pistons

After a heart-breaking loss to the Knicks, the Bucks will come out extremely flat against the Pistons. Jennings and Ellis will have a horrid shooting performance in the first half, shooting a combined 4-21 from the field.  

In the second half the Bucks will make a run, but inconsistent shooting and defense allows the Pistons to pull away for good. Greg Monroe has a huge game, going for 24 points and 15 rebounds.  

Bucks lose 93-84.

April 14 vs Indiana Pacers

A Saturday at the Bradley Center will bring some life back to a snake-bitten Bucks team. With a tough Indiana Pacers team coming into town, the Bucks will move the ball to the tune of 32 assists for the game.  

The Pacers will take an early lead, but the Milwaukee's ball movement and high shooting percentage will be too much to overcome for the Pacers.

Bucks win 102-100.

April 18 at Washington Wizards

The Bucks coming off of a win and three days of rest will enter this game with high energy and a sense of purpose.  

The Bucks bench lead by Beno Udrih will blow out the Wizards bench, even giving the starters some additional minutes of rest.  

John Wall will distribute the ball well, but the will have a rough night shooting. With Nene getting into foul trouble early, the Wizards will fall into a hole they cannot climb out of.

Bucks win 105-93.

April 19 at Indiana Pacers

The Pacers want this game after losing a game they felt they should have won five days ago. They press the action with Milwaukee and get off to a hot start, building a 12 point lead at halftime.

But the Bucks fight back behind Jennings hitting four three pointers in the third, although Danny Granger refuses to lose and puts up 29 points for the game.

Bucks lose 102-97.

April 21 vs. New Jersey Nets

This game may truly be decided by Brook Lopez's health.  

The guys is a beast, and there is no one on the Bucks who is strong enough to defend him. He recently injured his ankle, and should be out a couple of weeks.  

But assuming he is going to be playing, he will be dominate. He will score 20 points and grab 15 rebounds, and paired with a solid outing from Deron Williams, the Nets will be able to maintain a lead.

The Bucks make a run behind their strong bench, but it will not be enough to overcome the hot shooting Nets team.

Bucks Lose- 95-91

April 23 vs. Toronto Raptors

With the Bucks all but eliminated from the playoffs, the push on through the remainder of the schedule.  

Gooden, a veteran leader, steps his game up and scores 22 points. Jennings and Ellis work well together passing the ball around amassing 14 assists between them.  

The talent of the Bucks team is too much for a lethargic Raptor squad who mailed it in weeks ago.

Bucks win 102-90.

April 25 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Coach Skiles still has his team playing tough, and they face quite a challenge in the young 76ers team. Philadelphia is making a late push for home court in the first round of the playoffs.  

Philadelphia runs the ball up and down the court, and the Bucks have a hard time keeping up with the athletic squad. Lou Williams gives a huge lift off of the bench to the 76ers with a 20 point performance.

The Bucks keep it close, but cannot deny the hungry team from Philly.

Bucks lose 95-91.

April 26 at Boston Celtics

By this point in the season, the Boston Celtics will have locked up a playoff spot. The only purpose this game will serve is to rest their aging bodies.  

The will likely have their starters play limited minutes to keep them in flow, but the action will be around ten minutes a piece.

The Bucks will do everything they can to end the season on a good note. Three point shooting will be the key as Boston reserves will have difficulty covering the spread out floor.  

The Bucks will not blow them out, but fair well against a J.V. version of the Boston Celtics.

Bucks Win 101-94.

End of Season in Review for Milwaukee Bucks

Should these predictions hold true, the Milwaukee Bucks will finish the season with a 31-35 record, and will have gone 8-8 over the last 16 games of the season.  

These predictions would be in line with what the Bucks have shown this season.  They are an inconsistently average team with some upside.

Finishing four games under .500 will likely have them miss the playoffs, but whats the reward for the team who finishes in 8th? A worse draft pick, and a pounding from the Chicago Bulls.  

Good luck with that.

Who knows?  Maybe the team will turn it around and make a run at the playoffs.  The only way to do that will be to play consistent basketball.

What are your thoughts on how the Bucks will finish the 2012 NBA season?