With the trade deadline behind us, it's time to focus on pure basketball! This week's 10 Things features the streaking Bucks, the red-hot Knicks, one slumping defense, a fun rookie, and more.
1. The big, bad Milwaukee Bucks
So, umm, what if the Bucks never lose again?
Milwaukee has won 16 straight to snatch the No. 1 overall seed, and if the Bucks win their showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday, they'll have a good shot at extending the streak to 20 before heading on the road. Remember: The Bucks punted home-court advantage in the second round against the Boston Celtics last season by sitting everyone in Game 82. They lost Game 7 in Boston, and regretted it.
Their offense isn't quite postseason ready yet -- not with Khris Middleton still coming off the bench, barely playing with the rest of Milwaukee's Big Three -- but holy hell, this defense. Milwaukee has surged into the No. 1 spot in points allowed per possession, and the Bucks can look impenetrable at full throttle.