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Milwaukee Bucks make adjustments, even series with Atlanta Hawks

By Steven Schauer

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot against Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot against Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks just played better, flat out, better.

Trae Young didn’t take over, the defensive game plan was improved and a 20-0 scoring run in the second quarter sparked the Bucks to an overwhelming 125-91 victory over the Hawks to even the Eastern Conference Finals series.

Game 3 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Hawks is Sunday at 7:30 pm CT in Atlanta.

After Young scored 48 in game 1, he was limited to 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting and committed a career-worst nine turnovers (eight in the first half). Milwaukee double-teamed him, sent different looks and made it difficult on every possession.

It was the performance Milwaukee should have had in game 1 and maybe this effort will get more of the surrounding cast into the mix in the remaining games of the series.

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer talked about playing as a team and needing the win after the game.

The scoreboard read 51-40 with 6:25 to play in the second quarter and just over four minutes later the lead ballooned to 71-40 behind a headline-worthy 20-0 scoring run. During the run, Jrue Holiday scored nine points on three layups and a triple, while Brook Lopez had a dunk, 3-pointer and jumper.

Lopez ended with 16 points and three steals in the game. Some of the critics said his defensive effort in the opening game needed to improve or at least the scheme to make sure he wasn’t guarding on an island. He talked about being a difference-maker during his post-game press conference.

The Bucks led by at least 30 points throughout the entire second half and the starters rested the entire fourth quarter.

Giannis scored 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting, had eight assists and seven rebounds. Middleton posted 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Holiday ended with 22 points and seven assists.

The Bucks ‘Big 3’ played strong and they need to have P.J. Tucker go about his business as he did in game 2 for them to win the series. The forward played 26 minutes and was +32 in the +/- statistic. Tucker also had seven rebounds and three steals.

Milwaukee shot over 50 percent (52.1) for the first time this postseason. According to NBA.com, Giannis broke a franchise-record string of six straight games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. The last player to collect at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in six straight playoff games was Shaquille O’Neal in 2002.

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