Bucks won the first match of this round of playoffs against Celtics. The current champions of NBA won the first match at TD Garden by 89-101. However and despite the victory, the good news for Bucks is the sense of mastery. Milwaukee controlled the game every moment practically. Despite of the good moment of shape of Boston, the champions are the champions.
Is a mistake to have conclusions of Game 1. However, the Wisconsin team evidenced the high defensive level that they have and the nightmare they are. In a match that there were many contacts between players and the referees allowed to play aggressive, the away team practically closed all the ways to hoop and made that Celtics completed a low performance. The size of players like Giannis or Brook Lopez protected their hoop, the aggressiveness of players like Jrue Holiday or the great performance of second role characters like Jevon Carter or Greyson Allen made Udoka´s guys to suffer every shot.
The defenders of Boston were also incredible. However, even doing an acceptable performance some players like Giannis Antetokounmpo punish you whenever he can. The defence of players like Al Horford and Grant Williams against the Greek was excellent, they bothered him as much as they could every time Giannis enter to the scoring zone. Also, with the help of Robert Williams made Giannis to fail some important shots during the game. The forward ended the game with 9 out 25 on field shots. But this did not make him the best player of the game.
Tonight maybe was seen the growth sublimation of the Greek player as play-maker. In other years (like 2019 or 2020) this kind of defenders chocked him. However, Giannis had the capacity to made good decisions, generates shots for their teammates and to distribute the ball with a great precision. Giannis was more point guard than ever. He scored 24 points with 13 rebounds, 12 assists and 2 caps in a very dominating performance.
This was probably the best play of the game bu Giannis. The Greek player surpassed all the Boston defenders and made an amazing dunk. This video shows the reality of the game. A good Boston Celtics against an unstoppable current champion of NBA, Milwaukee Bucks.
Quite the opposite with the local team. The stars of Boston did not make a good match. Jayson Tatum just could made 21 points with a poor 6 out of 18 on field shots. Jaylen Brown made a 4 out of 13 for ending with 12 points and 7 ball losses. Due to this statistics and the good moment that Boston could have on the next match, the pass to the next round is still open for both teams. We will enjoy some really great games between two beautiful teams.
Jorge Barbero
