Category: Game Recaps

Again the Bucks started slow and needed a kick start. Brook Lopez started out the beginning of the first quarter missing 3 three point shots. He went to the bench and after a few mins returned. When he came back in he started the wave that brought the bucks back and got them ahead. Brook Lopez proceeded to hit his next 5 three point attempts. He scored 15 in the first half and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Kris Middleton also contributed 20 points.

The Bucks took control in the second quarter and with the exception of a small run in the 4th Milwaukee help full control. Despite the 30 point, 19 rebound effort from Joel Embid and and tripe double from Ben Simmons the Bucks were to much.

Antetokounmpo Records Triple Double

Giannis Antetokounmpo had triple double of his own posting stats of 32 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Kris Middleton finished with 25 points, Brook Lopez had 21 and Eric Bledsoe had 18.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJBNzRHvvU

Giannis Antetokounmpo Dominates and starts the 2018-2019 season with a Bang! The Greek Freak scored 25 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and had 8 assists. But was more impressive was how he dominated the game. Giannis did what he wanted on the court and dominated the boards. Scoring going to the basket with the Freak in your face doesn’t happen often. The 7  foot, 3 inch wingspan covers the area and reaches to the sky, especially when those springy legs start jumping!

Giannis’s ability to score inside and going to the basket is on an elite level. Several times in the season opener The Greek Freak backed down his defender deep into the paint and dunked on him. There was nothing the defender could do. Giannis came into this season even more visibly bulked up and he’s putting the muscle to use!

Giannis Antetokounmpo Dominates Season Opener!

The Milwaukee Bucks lost the playoff series in blowout fashion. Despite the game being within a few points at times, the Bucks could not keep the Celtics at bay. Eric Bledsoe, who was bullied by the Celtics the entire series, bounced back and scored 23 points. In the end, the Bucks just couldn’t hold on with the Celtics better scheme, play, and energy. One thing that doomed the Bucks was not good enough play from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The star player finished with 22 points and nine rebounds while grabbing 5 fouls along the way. Those five fouls were key as he had to sit for long periods of time while in foul trouble.

In the first quarter, the Bucks were down by ten at points and it looked grim from the start of the game. After a double-digit deficit was turned into a two-point game the Celtics pulled away. This would happen after the Bucks gained a 10-15 lead then watched it vanish. That storyline would continue throughout the game as the Bucks tried to win the game. While trying to win the game the Bucks may have forgotten to play their game. All series the Boston crowd and playoff emotions have thrown the Bucks off their game at home and the same thing was evident within minutes after the game began. In the second quarter both Giannis and leading scorer at that point, Eric Bledsoe sat bench with three fouls a piece. Giannis was back to the nervous and hesitant player that he showed in game 5. The second quarter was much like the first as the Bucks had a close game but blew it and went down by 8 at the half.

In the third and fourth quarter, the game was never truly in reach. While the Bucks had a chance to take a lead early in the third quarter the attempt was swatted away by the Celtics as they ran up their lead again. The third quarter was back and forth but the lead remained at around 10 until the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics lead grew to 19 at times. This was with a few minutes left and would have been imminent in the final score but Khris Middleton tried his best to stop the bleeding. Down by 19 Khris made multiple long threes and took the game into his hands. But it was not nearly enough to make a difference. While he did cut it down to 12, more shots late in the game gave the Celtics an end lead of 16 points.

Two things that Bucks fans should have noticed was the lack of bench and fastbreak scoring. The first matter is not much of a surprise as this doomed the Bucks all year. In contrast, the second is unheard of. The Bucks were coming off a 25-4 fastbreak outscoring of the Celtics last game. This game they put up 0 fast break points, which ultimately led to their demise. Don’t be surprised if you see a player and coaching change this offseason.

By: Weston Olds

Bucks Eliminated From Playoffs In 7 by Celtics 112-96

The Milwaukee Bucks extended their playoff hopes as they defeated the Celtics by 11 points behind a strong night from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis took 13 more shots in game six than he did in game five. The Greek Freak, who was heavily criticized over his low shot amount, came out firing in game six. Also fueling the Bucks were two 16 point games from Malcolm Brogdon and Khris Middleton.

To begin the first quarter two quick shots made Celtics HC, Brad Stevens, call a speedy timeout. After this timeout, the Celtics adjusted and stuck back and gained a six-point lead. The Bucks rallied back and kept it close until the Celtics ran up a lead nearing the end of the first quarter. The Bucks made an 8-0 run and finished the quarter down by two points. This was a new sight to fans, for most games have been separated by double digits at this point. The second quarter was big for the Bucks as they turned the deficit into a lead and watched it grow throughout the quarter. The defense was big in the quarter as they held the Celtics to 15 points in the quarter while the Bucks scored 26 points. This defense was very much needed to help stop the young shooting threats that Boston seems to have a factory of. The Bucks made the Celtics shoot tough shots deep in the shot clock and secured defensive rebounds which had been a trouble all year. The Bucks ended the half up by 9 points and with the momentum on their side.

The third quarter was very good for the Bucks, at least for the first few minutes. The Bucks took a double-digit lead then watched it slip away as the Celtics stepped up their game and hit the threes the Bucks knew they could not give up. The lead was down to two and the game was starting to slip away. The Bucks battled still, much like they have all season, to grow the lead again. After a few early points in the first half, Giannis really stepped up in the third quarter. The Bucks took over the game and had a comfortable lead heading into the fourth quarter. Despite this being a win or go home game many fans were more interested in who the Packers would draft. The fans at the game, which included Adam Silver and Bill Clinton, provided a booming crowd to make it tip in the Bucks favor. After a brief scare to begin the fourth quarter it was smooth sailing behind Giannis to finish out the game. Because the Bucks had the lower seed the forced game seven will be played in the ever so hostile T.D Garden. To win the series the Bucks will have to win a game on the road which no team has done in this series yet. In conclusion, a vital road game lays ahead of the Bucks.

Milwaukee Bucks Force Game Seven, Beat Boston Celtics 97-86

The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Celtics by 5 after a close game late in the game. With the game in reach, a blatant shot clock violation had players walking around to inbound the ball. To most peoples surprise the ref ruled the shot was on time and the Celtics rebounded the obvious missed call. To make it worse the shot was ruled a three even though it should have been ruled a normal shot. Luckily, the shot was not made so this would not matter. 

Early in the first quarter, the Milwaukee Bucks of the past showed up despite fans hoping they would not come back. While turnovers and not enough bench help did hurt the Bucks, a new factor stabbed them in the back. In the playoffs, the Bucks had been on fire from the floor shooting shots better than everyone in the Playoffs. In this game, the Bucks, especially the bench and Eric Bledsoe, could not buy a shot. One very bright spot in the game was Shabazz Muhammad who scored quickly and efficiently off the bench. A quiet scoring night from Giannis gave way to a near triple-double. One thing many have noticed when Giannis has a quiet night is that he never gets enough shots to score enough points.

Late in the game, an 11 point deficit was turned into a 4 point deficit that looked to shrink even further when great defense leads to a shot clock violation. In contrast, the refs decided otherwise. Like stated earlier in the article the call was easy for anyone following the NBA. While this shot may have doomed the Bucks it was how they played the rest of the game that killed them. In the return of role player Marcus Smart, he was quiet but still a major difference in the presence he brought to the floor. Bucks HC Joe Prunty said this about the questionable call “ Its a Shot Clock Violation.” When asked about Marcus Smart he stated “ He made some hustle plays… He played his normal game.” In conclusion, it may have been a bad call but it didn’t cover up bad play on the Bucks side the entire game.

By: Weston Olds

Celtics Take 3-2 Series Lead, Beat Bucks 92-87

The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Boston Celtics to tie up the series 2-2 heading back to Boston. A game winner from Giannis, another amazing dunk, and clutch defense won the game. Despite everything Boston had being thrown at the Bucks, they survived after losing a 20 point lead. Thon Maker was a defensive monster again with 5 blocks today. If the Bucks win the next game they will have a chance to win the series in Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Bucks entered the game looking like the team that went down 2-0, not the team we saw on Friday. Quick plays and bad defense gave the Celtics a seven-point lead in the first quarter. The Bucks struggled shooting wise going 1-10 to start the game. After a rare made shot the deficit started to swing and shot by shot the Bucks battled back. Good plays and better shooting gave the Bucks a small lead until a shot with seconds left in the first quarter. After the shot, an errant inbound was stolen by Matthew Dellavedova and the Bucks managed to score 4 points in 3 seconds. The Bucks grew on that lead in the second quarter by putting up three’s and easy points in the paint. Like last game, the bench came up big as the Bucks grew the lead to double digits late in the second quarter. The good play gave the Bucks a 16 point lead at the half.

To begin the third quarter Tyler Zeller picked up his 4th foul, which sent red-hot Thon Maker in for him. With Thon on the floor, the Bucks grew the lead much like last game. The lead made its way up to 20 points at times as the game grew more and more comparable to game three. But turnovers and bad defense gave the Celtics a chance to fight back and cut the lead to 8 points with two minutes left in the third quarter. Rookie Jayson Tatum was the leader of the run, which was 20-6 with a minute left in the quarter. A fastbreak layup by Khris Middleton shifted the lead back to 10 points. With a chance to cut the lead to six points Thon Maker rejected Tatum with a mean swat into the first row. Unable to capitalize on the block the Bucks maintained an 8 point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Quick scoring and a Jaylen Brown three cut the once 20 point lead down to 3 points. After the timeout, a bank shot by Giannis gave the Bucks short-lived breathing room. Shane Larkin took a spill on the floor but somehow shoveled the ball to Marcus Morris who made a three. Then, after the Celtics tied the game Thon Maker took over. Thon “The Difference” Maker splashed a three then rejected a shot on the defensive end. After an offensive foul on Khris, Thon Maker stepped up again and rejected a shot only to have a foul bail out the Celtics later in the possession.

Out of the darkness, Bledsoe who had not shot consistently the entire series made a three. This shot was one of his first as not even floaters would find their way into the basket. Despite many tries from the Celtics the Bucks would not give up their lead. Thon Maker, fresh off a 7 block game, rejected just another shot on a layup attempt. While the Bucks did block many shots most got cleaned up by the Celtics. With a one-point lead with just under a minute left Jayson Tatum hit a mid-range jumper to give the Celtics a one-point lead. After a lost ball by Jaylen Brown, the Bucks capitalized and Malcolm Brogdon hit a corner three. The Celtics responded and with 20 seconds left the Bucks had to score then stop the Celtics to win. A soft rebound fell to Giannis and he cleaned up to give the Bucks a 106-104 lead. A lob pass to Marcus Morris was the Celtics final chance. Khris Middleton contested the shot and it hit right off the front iron and bounced out. Brogdon grabbed the board and Bucks fans everywhere took a deep breath of relief.

By: Weston Olds

Bucks Even Series 2-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iTegw4it90

The Milwaukee Bucks flipped the switch on the Boston Celtics beat them by 24 points. All of the past problems the Bucks faced suddenly disappeared and fell onto the Boston Celtics. This game was much needed as no team has ever come back from down 3-0. Now down 2-1, the Bucks have a chance to tie the series in Milwaukee and even win the series in Milwaukee if they win out.  

The Milwaukee Bucks began the game off to a blazing hot start. All cylinders including the bench, Jabari Parker, And Eric (Drew?) Bledsoe were clicking. In addition, Thon Maker had a beastly first quarter recording 4 blocks off the bench. For most of the season, Thon had been limited by injuries or just not playing. The 21-year-old athletic freak was born in South Sudan but later moved to Australia. The Bucks defense was stifling as the Bucks held the Celtics to 12 total points in the first quarter. This defense extended into the second quarter as the Celtics were held to 35 points in the first half. One thing many people were watching in this series was the tense rivalry between Eric Bledsoe and Terry Rozier. Throughout the game, Bledsoe got the better of Terry Rozier, unlike both games in Boston.

In the second quarter, the Bucks gave up about as many points as they did in the entire first half. The Bucks luckily scored enough points to match the Celtics and maintained a 20 point lead. The highlight of the game, series, and maybe even year with the murder of Aaron Baynes with a breathtaking dunk that will be seen on SportsCenter soon. The Bucks ended the quarter not losing a monumental amount of lead to be noticeable. To begin the last quarter Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had been quiet with 19 pts, gained two fouls and sat the bench for the remaining of the game. Jabari Parker, after saying he was displeased with minutes, got a fair share of minutes and capitalized on the minutes having his best game of the season.

With a 25 point lead, the second team players entered the game and finished the deal. One of these players is Brandon Jennings, who is quite familiar with Bucks playoffs. A very pleasant surprise turned out to be the emergence of a sharpshooting defensive monster that is Thon Maker. To end the game the Bucks beat the Celtics by 24. Many players showed up and the beatdown of the Celtics did not see one Bucks player score over 23 points. In conclusion, the win was not single player centered, but a whole team win.

By: Weston Olds

Milwaukee Bucks Beat Down Boston Celtics 116-92