Milwaukee Bucks: Fans’ fears still alive and well after Game 2

Fans of the Milwaukee Bucks continue to see their team struggle in the second round of playoffs, as their worst fears have been revealed against the Heat.

Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals once again did not go the way Milwaukee Bucks fans would have wanted.

The Bucks struggled on defense against the Miami pick and roll and guarding their 3-point shooters throughout the game. The Bucks’ offense, which had moments where it looked crisp, bogged down in the half court and went about four minutes without scoring in the fourth quarter.

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The game was even crashed by a third party; the referees! However, despite the ending to a wild game and the Bucks’ comeback attempt to still ultimately lose by two, Bucks fans probably felt very similar to how they felt after Game 1.

After Game 1, I made a list of elements that if the Bucks could eradicate/improve on only half of these long-running fears, they would win the game. Unfortunately, the Bucks were only 2 out of 10.

Here are the two ways they improved:

Khris Middleton was amazing. There was no disappearing act for him, except for his coach taking him out of the game. The Bucks’ offense was superb when he was in the game. Middleton was a bright spot for the Bucks on both sides of the ball.

Wesley Matthews guarded Jimmy Butler the whole game (thanks Coach Bud!) and he did the job. No fourth quarter takeover by Butler.

But 2 out of 10, obviously, is not going to be enough against a team as talented and well-coached as the Miami Heat.

When watching the Bucks as a Wisconsin sports fan, the frustration and fears are warranted because it seems like Groundhog Day in regard to how the Bucks lost to the Raptors in 2019.

The team is not adjusting, Giannis cannot get on track, and Coach Budenholzer’s coaching lapses are proving too much to overcome. Coach Bud’s rotation and use of his bench players continues to vex. I mean, the fear is real: see Games 1 and 2. The Fire Bud hashtag is alive on social media.

Donte DiVincenzo and Pat Connaughton really do not need to see the court. One can make the argument Kyle Korver does not need to play either. Seven-man rotation? Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton should hardly come out of the game on Friday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his inability to shoot free throws is just disheartening. Two misses at the 43 second mark of the fourth? Somewhat significant. Speaking of Giannis, what would drive him to jump out at Jimmy Butler when his teammate Wes Matthews had him so well-guarded? In Giannis’ defense, the foul calls he gets called on him are suspect, and the lack of respect from referees is also real. For example, the last foul call on Giannis probably would not have been called on LeBron James.

Turnovers in the bubble continue to give easy points to the Heat. So many live ball turnovers! As a team, it is so difficult to overcome the turnovers. Both games’ point differential was largely attributable to turnovers.

Rebounding is still a struggle. Even though the Bucks have two seven-footers (Giannis is close enough) on court and the tallest player the Heat play is 6’9″ Bam Adebayo. It’s been a prime example of the Bucks being outworked.

Previously, I wrote about the top-10 anxieties/fears fans have about the Milwaukee Bucks. Only 2 out of the 10 went in the Bucks’ favor last game. If the Bucks could improve on half of the aforementioned areas – only 50 percent – it would be enough to get it done in Game 3. The Bucks need the odds to tilt in their favor.