A man is a machine. A future NBA player will hone his muscle memory in his childhood years, perfect it in college (usually), then rise to stardom. However, there’s a glitch that frustrates the TNT adjustment bureau. Even a team as talented as Milwaukee has the free choice to lose concentration. The gears that grounded Orlando in a six-game losing streak, by contrast, can be reversed. Giannis Antetokounmpo reminded reporters before the playoffs that there is no Bucks “playoffs switch.” Milwaukee’s seeding malaise carried over to its Tuesday game one showdown. And a team experts and fans supposed invincible suddenly has the Cream City concerned.
Work Unfinished
As of 8:34 Tuesday morning, qualified confidence ruled the Bucks. Coach Mike Budenholzer advised his team, “we’ve got some work to do. We’ve got to sharpen up, we’ve got to get better.”
With those highlights, the next 16 wins should arrive quickly! The problem with highlight reels is that all basketball teams play with a fluid mixture of successes and failures. The Bucks performed superbly in the beginning, scoring eight of the first ten points. Giannis contributed with a rare bomb, and it seemed a rout would ensue.
If the Magic were from a Marvel movie, the Bucks could find the self-destruct switch and end the series immediately. However, Steve Clifford and Orlando scouted the Bucks. They saw how Brooklyn succeeded against a wandering Milwaukee focus and duplicated the Nets’ consistency strategy. Clifford smartly used his first three timeouts to stop Bucks runs, and each time his magicians responded. Milwaukee trailed by 18 at one point but reduced the deficit to ten at halftime. No problem, the Bucks would easily climb ahead with momentum. Several issues, however, thwarted this comforting thought.
Poor Attention To Detail
Milwaukee finished 14 of 42 from downtown– just 33%. Especially concerning were numerous misses in transition with tight Magic contests. Shooting volume threes is often a winning strategy, but 24 seconds is too long for a team to settle on the first look. Brook Lopez and his teammates grew frustrated as they couldn’t overcome the fluctuating hole.
After each Milwaukee mini-run, the win seemed imminent. Two Khris Middleton free throws cut the lead to 69-68, but Nikola Vucevic hit a three. Later, Kyle Korver started the fourth with a four-point play!
Somehow, the Bucks couldn’t capitalize. Pat Connaughton fouled Terrence Ross, leading to three free throws. The fourth quarter was the most problematic period. Basketball intensity noticeably increases late, but the Bucks’ effort remained soft. With 2:06 left, usually, time for “happy and you know it,” Orlando led 118-102. Giannis suffered one of the greatest indignities of this career when Frank Mason replaced him in a white-flag ending. FiveThirtyEight still gives the Bucks a 92% chance to win the series. However, they must change strategies.
Nothing’s Inevitable
Unfortunately, the ball will not magically go through the Magic’s hoop, even though it is near Disney. Percentages can’t predict free will, and the Bucks must return their concentration to the pre-bubble levels of dominance. The Magic tie their sneakers for a 2-0 lead, while Milwaukee uses its undeniably better talent to resume the Finals sprint. If the Bucks recover the driving force that obliterated opponents 56 times this season, they’ll smash Orlando into dust while becoming a Mangler that no NBA foe can escape.
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