Tag: NBA Playoffs

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Bucks Fall to Celtics in Pivotal Game 7

Yesterday marked a sad end to an overall disappointing Bucks season. Milwaukee was unable to fend off a hungry Celtics team that played much more intensely than they did in a do-or-die game 7.

Milwaukee’s top tier players showed up to play, but that in the end was not enough to get the Bucks a win. Khris Middleton had 32 to lead Milwaukee, which was denied its first playoff series victory since the 2000-01 season. Despite forcing a seventh game, the Bucks dropped to 0-18 in team history when trailing 0-2 in the playoffs. Eric Bledsoe scored 23 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Milwaukee.

The basis of Milwaukee’s problems throughout this game came down to them not making important shots, and not playing hard enough defense. The Celtics went on major point runs in the second half, and the Bucks could not match the intensity being thrown at them.

This was overall an extremely exciting series to watch. As a fan, I always love seeing teams fight to a game 7 matchup, but I would have loved to see the Bucks actually win a post season series. The Bucks haven’t won a playoff series since the ’02-’03 season when they made it all the way to the eastern conference finals.

Although the season may be over for the Bucks, there is a lot to look forward to. Milwaukee’s new arena will be completed by the start of next season and will surely usher in a new wining atmosphere into the city. 

 

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Bucks Drop Tough Playoff Game Against Celtics Despite Late Game Heroics

As much as Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo shouldered the burden to give the Bucks a chance to snag a pivotal game 1 victory, their best for the day just wasn’t good enough against a resilient and disciplined Celtics team Sunday afternoon.

The game was filled with stretches by both teams where one shot the ball well, while the other struggled offensively and played poor defense. Heading into the second half, the Bucks found themselves down by 9 and in the midst of a Celtics run. The Bucks dug themselves out of it and evened the score by the end of the third quarter. The Celtics; however, refused to let the Bucks take any sort of substantial lead against them.

Seemingly out of it multiple times, the Bucks refused to give in and turn their attention to game 2. Down 10 points with under 4 1/2 minutes to play, Milwaukee ramped up its defense and used an 8-0 run to make things interesting. Then, with 11.1 seconds left, Malcolm Brogdon launched a three-pointer that tied the game at 96.

The Celtics had a big answer at the other end, and guard Terry Rozier III absolutely buried a clutch three to put the Celtics up 99-96 with .05 seconds remaining in the game.

I watched this game live, and at this very moment in the game, I thought Milwaukee’s luck had run out. They played very well, but I didn’t see it possible for them to save the game yet again. I was proven wrong.

With .05 seconds remaining, the ball was inbounded to guard Khris Middleton, who chucked up a 35 foot prayer which miraculously went in as time expired. The shot was reviewed and it was indeed confirmed that the Middleton had gotten the ball off before the shot clock hit zeros.

Milwaukee’s magic fizzled out in the extra frame, though. The Bucks held a one-point advantage through two minutes but from that point on couldn’t close out possessions with rebounds or muster enough offense to keep up.

Still, the Bucks had their chances. Down two with under a minute left, Middleton picked off a pass to start the break. The ball found guard Malcolm Brogdon, who drove the lane only to have his shot blocked by Celtic’s wing player Jayson Tatum. Brogdon got his own rebound and kicked a pass to Bucks forward Tony Snell in the corner, who launched an off-balance three-pointer that missed the mark. With the shot clock off, the Bucks were forced to foul and Rozier made 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch to close it out.

This was a tough game to watch as a Bucks fan. They played extremely hard throughout, but ultimately the vast amount of turnovers caught up with them. If they want to steal game 2 in Boston, Milwaukee will need to buckle down and take care of the ball, instead of coughing it up nearly 20 times like they did this past game.