Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 1 overtime victory over Miami Heat
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks dominate in the paint in Game 1 win over Heat
With everyone’s outside shot struggling to fall, the Bucks adjusted and looked to do their damage closer to the basket.
It proved to be the right decision to stay in the game as Milwaukee racked up 56 paint points versus Miami when the final buzzer sounded. The Bucks’ rebounding on the offensive glass proved pivotal in that aspect as they scored an impressive 19 second chance points while hauling in 15 offensive rebounds.
One specific player that helped propel Milwaukee’s paint assault was starting center Brook Lopez, who made his presence felt by scoring eight of his 18 total points down low. The big man’s aggressiveness also earned him eight attempts from the free throw line where he made good by earning himself seven extra points.
Although Lopez has expanded his offensive arsenal to shoot more triples, it is evident that he has taken a new approach that involves working closer to the basket more often when looking to score the basketball. With so much attention going to be directed towards two-time MVP winner Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lopez’s inside scoring could be a potential X-factor moving forward.
According to NBA.com/stats, Miami boasted the most formidable paint defense during the regular season by surrendering just 41.3 points per game to their opponents. The Bucks were certainly well above that mark yesterday and finding similar success moving forward will be pivotal, particularly if their outside shot is struggling to fall yet again.