After a thrilling comeback win on the road in Game 5, the Milwaukee Bucks returned home to face the Boston Celtics with a chance to close out the series in Game 6.
Despite Milwaukee’s sensational finish in the previous game, they carried none of that momentum over into Game 6. Without sugarcoating it, this was an embarrassing performance by the Bucks as old habits continued to plague them throughout, which played into them squandering this perfect opportunity to close out the series. After a dreadful effort, if one could even use that word, Boston took down Milwaukee 108-95 and evened up the series 3-3. There will be a Game 7, but before it happens, here are three takeaways from a lackluster Game 6.
The 3-point shooting battle between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics was once again a significant story in Game 6
With each passing game in this series, it has consistently felt like the Milwaukee Bucks are due for a big shooting night from three. With each passing game, it has failed to happen. Many believed it had finally come with a golden opportunity to close out the series at home, but, unfortunately, the Bucks could not buy a bucket from the outside once again.
The Bucks shot 7-of-29 (24.1 percent) from 3-point range last night, once again struggling to find any semblance of a groove from 3-point land. Giannis Antetokounmpo was responsible for two of those 3-pointers, which gave the team a huge boost. Yet, even with Antetokounmpo hitting, it was hard for the Bucks to get into a rhythm with Jrue Holiday shooting 3-of-10, Grayson Allen going an abysmal 0-of-4, and Bobby Portis going 0-of-3 from long range. Milwaukee’s overall offense was not much better as they shot just 40.9 percent from the floor, but this poor 3-point shooting was a significant reason why.
Meanwhile, the Celtics had no such problem finding their stride from three as they shot 17-of-43 (39.5 percent) in Game 6. The Bucks’ drop scheme defensively opened the door for the Celtics to find a groove straight away, and it worked as they shot a scorching-hot 8-of-15 from three in the first quarter alone. They carried this hot start throughout the remainder of the game as Boston consistently torched Milwaukee, largely due to Jayson Tatum. The All-Star knocked down seven triples by himself in this one, which tied Milwaukee as a team. That is unacceptable by the Bucks.
Milwaukee’s inability to knock down perimeter shots while leaving the perimeter open has been a significant issue in this series, and that continued to be the case last night. The Milwaukee Bucks should attempt to get these issues resolved before Game 7.