Milwaukee Bucks: Grades from 113-107 Game 1 loss to Boston Celtics

D-. Considering how good he has been for the best part of two months, it was pretty hard to stomach just how poorly Eric Bledsoe played in Game 1. Bledsoe has waited years to return to the playoffs, but he marked that moment by playing the worst defense he’s played in a Bucks jersey, turning the ball over and settling for mediocre shots. Bledsoe is lucky Middleton made his Hail Mary three to send the game to overtime, as otherwise there’d be even greater scrutiny on Bledsoe’s bizarre breakdown defending Rozier on what originally appeared to be the game-winner. Bledsoe is capable of better, and I’d expect him to deliver in Game 2. If he doesn’t, though, the Bucks will be in deep waters.. Guard. Milwaukee Bucks. ERIC BLEDSOE

Guard. Milwaukee Bucks. TONY SNELL. D. <a href=

KHRIS MIDDLETON. A+. With all of the stakes and the key moments considered, this was the best game of Khris Middleton’s season. In truth, this might even be the best game of his career. Building on a significant uptick in form over the past couple of months, Middleton was locked in on Sunday and produced the best performance of any Buck. Middleton attacked every time the opportunity presented itself, but he never really resorted to pressing. He shot efficiently, which is best highlighted by his 5-of-7 shooting from deep. Not only is making those shots vital for the Bucks, but taking that volume is promising too. Middleton’s defense hasn’t always been up to its once lofty standards since he returned from injury about 15 months ago, but he did a commendable job in his time split between <a href=. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t have a perfect game by any means on Sunday, yet his final stat line acts as a testament to his phenomenal ability and even more so his unrelenting desire. Giannis willed himself and his team into a good performance on this occasion, and that’s something he’ll need to continue throughout the series. What Antetokounmpo does need to do is find a solution for Al Horford on both ends. Offensively, it’s not that complicated, but he’ll need some help from his teammates. Horford has no chance of stopping Giannis when he has a head of steam built up. If his teammates don’t throw aimless passes to him in dead end spots inside, Horford’s strength advantage will become meaningless and any number of points could come into play for the Greek. Seriously, if the Bucks can find and create better opportunities for Antetokounmpo, a 50-point game feels like an inevitability in this series. On the other end, Giannis was outsmarted by Horford, baited into cheap fouls, and generally unable to show any kind of resistance inside. That’s uncharacteristic for Giannis and I’m sure it will improve over the course of the series, but the Bucks will have to be proactive in dealing with that issue. Antetokounmpo can be a game-changing presence defensively, and the Bucks need to unlock that in this series.. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO. B+

B+. <a rel=. Center. Milwaukee Bucks. JOHN HENSON