Opinion: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks move in right direction with Game 2 win over Magic
That’s a little better Milwaukee. Far from perfect, plenty of room for improvement but a step in the right direction.
Lackluster in a Game 1 loss to Orlando in their first-round series, the Bucks took care of business like the No. 1 seed is supposed to in a 111-96 Game 2 victory over the Magic on Thursday.
Bemoaning the lack of aggressive play after the series opener, Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer expected – and probably behind closed doors demanded – a much better approach to Game 2.
“The makeup of our group, the competitiveness, the character, this is why you put together a team,” Budenholzer said before the contest. “As a coach, I always say how fortunate I am. Part of it is just the competitiveness. Our group will come out, they’ll (be) ready and as our coach, I feel great about it.”
The Bucks established their defensive-minded identity, holding the Magic to 13 points on 3-for-23 shooting including 1-for-11 on three-pointers in the first quarter. The Magic were also scoreless inside the paint on 0-for-8 shooting in the first quarter.
It wasn't a must-win but it was a win the Bucks needed. It was an improvement over Game 1 in which the Bucks allowed too many threes and too many points in the paint.
And the game is always easier when shots are falling. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who played just 31 minutes, scored 28 points on 10-for-28 shooting and also had 20 rebounds and five assists.
Milwaukee shot 47.1 percent from the field and 36.6 percent on threes, and it was able to spread out the scoring with Brook Lopez (20 points), Pat Connaughton (15), Eric Bledsoe (13) and Donte DiVincenzo (11). And though he wasn’t in double figures, Kyle Korver scored his nine points in the first half.
What also makes this a nice victory for Milwaukee is that All-Star Khris Middleton and Sixth Man of the Year candidate George Hill each scored just two points. Those are anomalies but the Bucks have enough depth to compensate for key players having an off-game offensively. That’s a luxury not all teams have.
But as noted, it wasn’t a complete game for Milwaukee. It left Game 2 not so much with major issues but areas that require attention.
The Bucks again had trouble with mobile big man Nikola Vucevic who can draw Brook Lopez to the perimeter with his shooting and score inside with a creative arsenal of moves using both hands.
Vucevic had 32 points and 10 rebounds – after 35 points and 14 rebounds in Game 1. Vucevic just didn’t have a lot of offensive help. But a player like that gives Milwaukee trouble.
Then, Milwaukee let up in the fourth quarter and failed to put away Orlando. A 101-84 lead with 6:16 to play dwindled to 103-94 with 3:14 to go. That might be nitpicking, but you can be sure it’s on Budenholzer’s radar.
Now, the Bucks need to build on that performance and seize control of the series in Game 3. Like a No. 1 seed should.
Follow Paste BN Sports NBA columnist Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt