Milwaukee Bucks: 3 biggest adjustments going into Game 3 of NBA Finals

Milwaukee Bucks must push the pace more going into Game 3 of NBA Finals

One of the biggest hallmarks for the Bucks under head coach Mike Budenholzer has been their penchant to push the pace and getting out and running at any chance they get.

That surely helps when they have a one-man fastbreak like Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it is also indicative of the defensive identity Bud and his staff have steadfastly taken all throughout their three years in Milwaukee.

So far this series, though, the Bucks haven’t dictated the pace as much as they have historically under Bud. Game 1 was played at a pace of 101.5 possessions and the Bucks scored 17 fast break points. However, the Suns, a slower team in comparison, clearly didn’t play too rushed and even outscored the Bucks with 20 fast break points of their own.

Game 2 very much went in how the Suns want to play, despite the Bucks finishing with 17 fast break points once again. While Phoenix just scored 7 points in transition, the game was very much in their style as it was played at a pace of 94.5 possessions.

Of course, it’s hard for the Bucks to dictate the tempo and set the tone, considering the offensive success Phoenix has enjoyed in this series. No matter the case, though, the Bucks know that early offense continues to be some of their best offense.

In these NBA Finals, 17.7 percent of the Bucks’ offensive possessions have come with 22-18 seconds on the shot clock and they have been lethal on such looks with a 64.1 effective field goal percentage. Per Inpredictable, the Bucks are averaging 1.26 points on possessions after a defensive rebound so far this series.

Certainly getting out and running, along with getting stops, will only free up the Bucks more offensively and it will let them be able to dictate the game on their own terms.