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Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 1 loss

By Brian Sampson

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 28: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during Game One of Round Two of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Fiserv Forum on April 28, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 28: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during Game One of Round Two of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Fiserv Forum on April 28, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks dropped Game 1 at the Fiserv Forum to the Boston Celtics. Here are three things we learned from the upset loss.

The Milwaukee Bucks opened the second round of the NBA playoffs with a lot of hype. And homecourt advantage. Unfortunately, they lost both of those things as well as Game 1 to the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.

Milwaukee got whooped at the Fiserv Forum and lost 90-112. The 22-point loss was the Bucks worst of the season. Not a good way to begin their first appearance in the semi-finals since 2001. With that being said, it was a very telling game for both teams. Milwaukee was unable to do things they have become accustomed to all season long. The Celtics also went bonkers and connected on 54 percent of their shots.

Hopefully, a lot of what we saw on Sunday afternoon won’t last all series or even very long. The Bucks need to do a lot better in order to have any chance in this series. Before we get too far, however, here are three takeaways from their Game 1 loss.

3. Bucks role players need to step up

Khris Middleton started out hot and finished the game with 16 points on 12 shots. Although those numbers don’t jump off the page at you, they were substantially better than the rest of Milwaukee’s supporting cast.

Brook Lopez, Eric Bledsoe and Sterling Brown, the other three starters alongside Middleton and Antetokounmpo, shot a combined 3-17 for 12 points. That’s simply unacceptable. The Bucks can’t expect to win many games with their role players putting up duds.

2. Celtics are good from the mid-range

Coming into the series, we all knew the Bucks are okay with giving up mid-range shots. It’s how they defend the rim so well. We also knew Boston was good at hitting them. And they proved that again. Although the stats aren’t readily available, the Celtics connected on a high percentage of mid-range shots and made the Bucks pay for their defensive scheme. Regardless of if it was contested or not, the Celtics came to play.

1. Giannis Antetkounmpo was stifled

Antetokoumpo had a rough game. Boston’s defense was very physical with him and they were rewarded with a friendly whistle. He shot just 7-for-21 from the field for 22 points. He was also an abysmal 5-for-10 from the free throw line. What saved him was his three-point shooting where he connected on three of five.

If the Bucks want any chance at winning this series, Antetokounmpo must improve from this game. He’s the key to everything they do and he appeared to be forcing things on Sunday. Al Horford is an adequate defender, but he shouldn’t be allowed to hold the Greek Freak to such a poor performance moving forward.

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