Game 1: Milwaukee Bucks 97 New York Knicks 122 Grades & Reactions
By Adam McGee
Opening night may have kicked off with great excitement and anticipation for the Milwaukee Bucks, but it didn’t take long until the supposedly lowly New York Knicks brought them crashing back to earth.
The Bradley Center itself looked like something from another world prior to tip, as the city of Milwaukee clearly embraced their young, up-and-coming team against a backdrop of endless lights and color.
The introductions were special and will live with Bucks fans for quite a while. Although due to suspension Giannis Antetokounmpo may not have been given his share of the spotlight, that’s a moment guaranteed to bring some pre-game energy on Friday against Washington.
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The cries of Moose when Greg Monroe first emerged for a regular season game as a Buck were spine-tingling though, and clearly evoked a fast start from the Bucks new signing.
Monroe started the game fast alongside an aggressive Michael Carter-Williams. The big man was pounding the offensive boards, and had seven rebounds in total by the time the game reached the six minute mark. The Bucks led for most of the first quarter, but their 31 percent shooting caught up with them eventually allowing New York to take the front.
A major 15-0 run that Milwaukee afforded to the Knicks second unit as the first quarter crossed over into the second would ultimately prove decisive, as from that point on the Bucks were never truly able to pull themselves back into the game.
122-97 made for a very disappointing opening night loss, but the Bucks have to remember that it was only one game, and a game without key figures like Giannis Antetokounmpo, O.J. Mayo and Jabari Parker at that too.
Let’s delve a little deeper into the action by looking at some of the bright spots, as well as where it all went wrong.
Next: Reactions: The Good