MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 21: Malik Beasley #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after hitting a ... [+]
Malik Beasley’s performance from behind the arc has been nothing short of remarkable this season, hitting a career-high 43 percent through 67 games. However, a recent slump has cast a shadow over his earlier success. As the season progresses, Beasley is grappling to recapture the enchanting form that had him lighting it up from behind the arc.
Until February 26th, Malik Beasley was sinking an impressive 45.2% of his three-point shots per game. Among the 95 players who averaged at least five three-point attempts during that period, he ranked second, showcasing his elite shooting caliber.
A significant portion of his attempts were catch-and-shoots. Beasley averages 6.6 three-point shots per game, with 5.2 being catch-and-shoot situations, netting a solid 43.7%. That spacing and quick trigger is critical for the Bucks’ offensive spacing around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
The Bucks frequently employ a double ball screen for Lillard, with Antetokounmpo rolling to the basket. Watch the intense focus the Miami Heat place on this dynamic duo; all five defenders are alert, attempting to thwart their scoring efforts.
As Lillard maneuvers off the screens, he immediately attracts the attention of two Heat defenders. Jaime Jaquez and Bam Adebayo also shift their focus towards him, while Tyler Herro anticipates the passing lane to Bobby Portis. Amidst this intense defense, Beasley finds himself momentarily unguarded in the corner, ready for a swift catch-and-shoot three-pointer.
The gravitational pull of Lillard and Antetokounmpo on the court is immense, drawing defenders in like no other. Beasley, with his keen sense of timing and positioning, exploits these openings to perfection.
Lillard advances the ball up the left side of the court, with Antetokounmpo positioned high on the left block. Concurrently, Beasley, Brook Lopez, and Jae Crowder spread out to the opposite side, ensuring ample space for the dynamic duo to go to work.
Lillard hits his man with the briefest of hesitations and attacks toward the middle of the lane. This draws Beasley’s defender toward the paint to take a measly swipe at the ball. Beasley slides down the three-point line to stay in Lillard’s vision and finds himself rewarded with an open three.
He’s most dangerous in those corners where he can not only space the floor for his All-Star teammates, but make the defenses pay for sending them extra help. According to Cleaning the Glass, he ranks in the 90th percentile among wings by making 49 percent of his corner threes.
Unfortunately, he’s hit triple trouble over the past month.
After making 46.5 percent of his threes in February, he’s all the way down to 31 percent in the month of March. That’s his worst month this season and first time he’s shot lower than 40 percent in any month not named October (when the Bucks only had three games). It’s also his worst shooting month since January of 2020 when he also shot 31 percent from behind the arc. March of 2019 is the last time he had a worse percentage.
His catch-and-shoot accuracy has dipped as well. He’s all the way down to 31.2 percent on threes since February 27th. That ranks 22nd among the 23 players who have taken at least five per game during that span. It has the potential to hurt the Bucks’ spacing entering the time of the season when they need it the most.
Fortunately, the Bucks’ offense hasn’t suffered yet. They’re outscoring teams by 7.7 points per 100 possessions when Beasley is on the court in March—a slight uptick from the 7.2 before his slump.
History says he’ll turn it around, but the Bucks (or Beasley) can ill-afford an extended slump. He’s a critical part of their team on both ends of the court. Milwaukee needs him to rediscover his stroke before the playoffs begin in about a month.
