Milwaukee Bucks bounce back in huge way vs. Celtics in Game 2
The Milwaukee Bucks bounced back in a huge way in Game 2, proving that this will be a long, competitive series with the Boston Celtics
Despite losing by 22 points in Game 1, the Milwaukee Bucks stepped it up in Game 2 to even their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup with the Boston Celtics at one game apiece.
In Game 1, the Bucks learned that the way they played against the Detroit Pistons is not going to cut it against the Celtics. They also found out that in the way of Boston shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose effectiveness was eliminated by Al Horford.
After Boston’s dominance against the Bucks in Game 1, ESPN analyst Paul Pierce proclaimed that the series was over.
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"I see how they played today. I wonder what could they do better? What adjustments would they make. Pretty much the Celtics got everything they wanted. They scored in the paint. They out rebounded them. Kyrie who is suppose to be the focal point of your scouting report did whatever he wanted. On the other hand, guys have to step up for Milwaukee….As a team, I do not know where Milwaukee goes from here…I think it is over."
However, the Bucks made adjustments in Game 2 and improved their half-court offense.
The Celtics game plan of walling Giannis to prevent him from getting close to the basket did not work in Game 2. He found ways to get to the hoop and put pressure on the defense. This allowed Giannis to either get a bucket or get a foul each time he drove to the basket.
Also, when the defense collapsed on him or Eric Bledsoe, they kicked it out to open shooters on the wing. Part of the problem in Game 1 was that Giannis’s supporting cast did not play as well as they had all season.
One of the other big differences in Game 2 for the Bucks was that Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez were dominant offensively. They took advantage of their individual matchups, and the Celtics never had an answer for them.
The big question now is, will Malcolm Brogdon make his return to the floor sooner rather than later? Brogdon is an elite shooter and is a good decision-maker, a player that certainly could help tilt the scales in the Bucks’ favor even more.
Defensively, the Bucks walled off Kyrie Irving anytime they came into the paint area. And Kyrie only scored nine points in Game 2. The Bucks used their size to prevent the Celtics from scoring too easily close to the rim.
In the second round, you expect Al Horford and Kyrie Irving to show up. For the Celtics, Aron Baynes, Jayson Tatum, Terry Rozier, and Gordon Hayward have been absent this series. The Celtics are going to need these players to have enough offense to beat the Bucks. For the Celtics to win, these players must play better for the rest of the series.
The Bucks showed that the Celtics game plan this series is not going to work for the entire series. And they made adjustments from Game 1.
The Celtics absolutely need to win Game 3 in Boston to have a chance. Luckily, the Celtics have only lost one game at home in the playoffs for the past two years. The TD Garden is a tough place to win.
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The Bucks are a well-oiled machine and are arguably playing the best basketball in the NBA right now. They showed that in Game 2. They flexed their muscle and showed Boston that they are a formidable opponent. Look for the Celtics and Kyrie Irving to respond in Game 3. This series is definitely just heating up. Which team will make the necessary adjustments in Game 3?