MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 14: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks smiles against the Detroit Pistons during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2019 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks were the best team in the regular season. They certainly looked the part in blowing out the Detroit Pistons in Game 1.
Let’s be honest, this one was over before it started. The Bucks were the best team in the NBA during the regular season, by a fairly wide margin. The Pistons had the worst point differential of any playoff team this season and were playing Game 1 with their injured star Blake Griffin who, between his scoring and assists, was responsible for 37.5 points per game.
The Bucks were up by 20 at the end of the first quarter and just built on their lead from there, flirting with 40 for much of the second half. Seven different Bucks hit a 3-pointer and nine different Bucks recorded an assist. If Griffin is able to play, it’s a (slightly) different series. If not, at least it should be over quickly.
Milwaukee Bucks
121
Detroit Pistons
86
Takeaways
Giannis Antetokounmpo is good. I don’t need to tell you this. He’s been an MVP frontrunner almost since the season began and a regular fixture on highlight reels since he joined the NBA. He was the best player on the floor in Game 1, by a laughable margin, finishing with 24 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists, shooting 9-of-17 from the field. Despite the big margin, he was dialed in, playing with aggression and intensity for every minute he was on the floor. The Bucks championship hopes begin and end with him. They’re in good hands.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is really good. To my previous summary, I would like to add that Antetokounmpo was also shooting (and hitting) from the outside in Game 1.
https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/1117592822071353347/video/1
Giannis Antetokounmpo is really, really good. As my closing argument, I would like to submit the following play (and the gasps it elicited from me) into evidence.