3 Milwaukee Bucks under the most pressure down 0-2 to the Brooklyn Nets

Pressure has set in for the Milwaukee Bucks as they are currently in a massive hole against the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

After being convincingly blown out in consecutive games in Brooklyn, this team was certainly happy to board the plane to Milwaukee and get two full days of rest between Monday’s Game 2 and tonight’s matchup at Fiserv Forum. Yet, the adversity ahead still remains firmly aimed at the Bucks as they trail the Nets 0-2 in this best of seven series.

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Every bit of momentum is currently tipping favorably in Brooklyn’s favor after demolishing Milwaukee in back-to-back contests despite having former league MVP James Harden in their lineup for just 43 seconds.

With their season potentially hanging in the balance facing an unconquerable 0-3 deficit in tonight’s contest, this Milwaukee team understands that the pressure is on them to win tonight’s pivotal Game 3.

With tonight’s game practically do-or-die for Milwaukee, here are three Bucks that are under the most pressure to make this series competitive.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is facing pressure with the Milwaukee Bucks down 0-2

A two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo understands the pressure that comes with being one of the best players to pick up a basketball in today’s NBA. He has been beaten down with criticism regarding his previous postseason failures over the past few years, and the outside world has already pounced on the opportunity to jump on him once more.

It is clear this time around that Antetokounmpo is not playing up to par, particularly against such a formidable foe in the Nets. The Greek Freak has looked rattled at times throughout these first two matchups, playing erratic basketball that has led to some questionable decisions on his part, most notably his ever-growing turnover totals and oftentimes unpleasant shot selection. With his team down 0-2, the pressure is building around Antetokounmpo.

For him and this team to dig themselves out of this hole, Giannis must revert back to the player that demolished the Nets in the regular season by averaging nearly 40 points in those three matchups. Antetokounmpo looked virtually unstoppable, particularly in the latter two contests in May, both of which the Bucks won. Brooklyn’s personnel remains the same from those games that took place just over a month ago, but Giannis has not maintained the aggressiveness he displayed then to elevate this team to victory.

Facing a season-threatening 0-3 hole tonight, the Bucks need Antetokounmpo to silence the criticism being catapulted his way and get his team back into this series. It all starts with taking shots that are tailor-made for him, taking care of the basketball, and knocking down his shots at the free throw line.

Khris Middleton is feeling the heat with the Milwaukee Bucks down 0-2

Much like Giannis, Khris Middleton has been subject to criticism for his past postseason debacles in the past. The two-time All-Star has often vanished for the Bucks when the lights are the brightest and his latest playoff disappearing act has been brutal to watch against the Nets.

In 70 minutes played thus far, the typically smooth scoring Middleton has put up just 30 total points on 13-of-43 shooting from the field, including 3-of-13 from deep. These horrendous shooting numbers only scratch the surface of his bad the forward has played in this series, as he also has seven turnovers to this point, one short of typing Antetokounmpo for a team-high. Practically having been M.I.A. during yet another playoff series, another showing like this would be a massive stain on his resume, arguably his worst yet.

Middleton has faced the question of whether or not he is indeed good enough to be the best player on a championship-caliber team time and time again since the Bucks ascended into contention. Unfortunately, the answer has been no, and this lackluster showing against the Nets could be the final nail in the coffin if he continues playing this poorly. That could mean an unclear future in Milwaukee beyond this season as the team will certainly be tested with questioning his status, but the forward should do everything in his power to prevent that from happening.

While his struggles have prevailed throughout the first two games, one can only hope that playing before the faithful fans in Fiserv Forum will help give Middleton a boost. With his shots not falling with consistency, confidence will be key for him to get his production back up to par, and there is no place like home when it comes to receiving support. With the team in a difficult spot largely due to his struggles, Middleton is under pressure to perform tonight and beyond.

Mike Budenholzer’s job is in the balance with the Milwaukee Bucks down 0-2

After sweeping the Miami Heat and outdueling Erik Spoelstra in round one, it appeared the Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer had turned a new leaf. Prone to imploding in the postseason due to his own questionable decisions, it was welcoming to see him outlast one of the best coaches in the association in these playoffs.

Yet, that belief in Budenholzer died down rather quickly as he has reverted back to his old self for these first two games. Most notably, his rotations are back to being controversial, and the minutes being given to his star players has yet again sparked outrage, as Budenholzer said after Game 1 that he is trying to keep his top players “fresh” for the series.

Budenholzer has been completely outmatched by Brooklyn’s first-year head coach Steve Nash. While the players have not exactly stepped up to the plate and helped Budenholzer out much, the coach is not doing himself any favors in this series. With his team down 0-2, he will have to be willing to get uncomfortable and make the proper adjustments in this series to keep his team afloat, even if it means letting Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Jrue Holiday play over 40 minutes.

It is puzzling to see Budenholzer coach like this after showing a much more adaptable style of play during the regular season and a fantastic first round. Furthermore, rumors have been swirling for months now that his head coaching job with the franchise is certainly on the line depending on how these playoffs shake out for the Bucks. Right now, that outlook does not look too good for him and the franchise. Perhaps being blown out in consecutive games could force Budenholzer to drop his firm beliefs and do what he must to win, but only time will tell.

The pressure is building around the former Coach of the Year with his team trending downward in the second round of the playoffs.