Bucks take game 1 at home!
By Justin Batiste
Tonight, was the start of a series that looks like it may go seven games. Tonight, the Milwaukee Bucks hosted the Toronto Raptors in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and both teams didn’t disappoint. Raptors guard, Kyle Lowry and Bucks center, Brooke Lopez were the key players for their teams tonight. Lopez and Lowry made big shots, but it was also the timing of when the two made their shots is what made them so key in this game.
To start the fourth quarter Lopez made two three’s which gave the Bucks momentum. Prior to those two three’s the Bucks were losing, and in the fourth quarter, Lowry made a number of shots that kept the Raptors in the game. Lopez finished the game with 29 points. A playoff career high, and Lowry finished the game with 30 points. The Raptors are going to need Lowry to keep up this kind of play if they expect a competive series, and the Bucks can always use another scorer.
This Bucks team is tough. The Raptors were winning for most of the game, but in the fourth quarter the Bucks showed why they are the best team in the East. The Bucks made plays down the stretch. Milwaukee remained solid on defense, made three-point shots, got to the free throw line, Giannis made plays when it was time to make plays and they were able to keep plays alive with their offensive rebounding. Bucks forward, Nikola Mirotic had two key offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Getting out in transition was another reason as to why the Bucks were in this game for most the night. In the first half the Raptors shot the ball well, and although the Bucks shot the ball descent also, they weren’t making shots like the Raptors to start the game. However, they were able to get easy buckets in transition. Rather it be off turnovers or just beating the Raptors down court off a rebound or after inbounding the ball. The Bucks didn’t let the shooting of the Raptors get the best of them.
This was a good win for the Bucks because they very well could’ve loss this game, but we’ve seen this team win all season, and tonight was another game where the Bucks showed us why they should be the team to represent the East in the Finals.
