Despite ending the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, the Milwaukee Bucks were far from a perfected product heading into the NBA Playoffs.
Damian Lillard, though trending in the right direction, was still out. Milwaukee's highest-paid centers showcased their flaws greatly. The role players were inconsistent with their nightly production. The head coach stuck to his guns and opted not to make adjustments that were staring him in the face.
The Milwaukee Bucks had plenty of concerns ahead of their series with the Indiana Pacers, and they didn't do anything to ease them in Game 1. Indiana dominated, building a lead that grew as large as 28 at its apex. The Bucks showed some fight, but they were unable to overcome their own flaws.
Indiana secured a 117-98 win and gave Milwaukee plenty of material for what should be a grueling film session before Game 2.
Bucks drop Game 1 to Pacers, showcase every flaw possible
First and foremost, the starting lineup. Everyone could see this group wasn't working. Even during the win streak, the team got off to such slow starts because this group didn't gel. It was often the lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo and four reserves where the Milwaukee Bucks saw the most success. Fans were hopeful this would awaken something in Doc Rivers to try something new.
Yet, starting Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez was how Doc Rivers wanted to start the postseason. It didn't go well. The Pacers started the game off hot, exploiting Lopez's lack of mobility, while Prince and Kuzma struggled offensively and made very little impact defensively. Rollins couldn't find his shot, leaving the workload up to Giannis.
The Greek Freak did his part to carry the team, posting 36 points, but the other four starters finished with a combined 14 points. That simply won't cut it in the NBA Playoffs, especially with Damian Lillard out of the lineup. The only reason the Bucks made this one somewhat interesting was because they benched Lopez, Kuzma and Prince down the stretch and rolled with reserves.
Unless they are both hitting their triples, the Prince-Kuzma combination is a clunky one, as they are both playing out of position. There is no shortage of better-fitting pairings that could work to help the Bucks start the game faster.
Speaking of Kuzma, plenty of Milwaukee Bucks fans were terrified to see how he would perform on the big stage. He's had his moments since the trade, but he has far more missteps. This game only added to that. Outside of two personal fouls, the forward didn't log a single stat. He missed all five of his shot attempts and two free throws. It was tough to watch unfold.
Lopez rightfully found himself on the sidelines because the Pacers are a horrific matchup for him due to their speed and athleticism, things he hasn't had for quite some time. They went at him again and again to the point that he needed to be benched. However, Bobby Portis didn't do much to help the Milwaukee Bucks at center, scoring four points on eight shot attempts while also getting hunted.
Lopez and Portis both being bad matchups against Indiana was exactly why fans were pleading for Jericho Sims to see significant minutes. He only played nine and a half minutes in this one, but that may have been because it was his first game since surgery. If he has no restrictions, he has to earn the bulk of the minutes at center to give the Milwaukee Bucks a chance to combat Indiana.
Doc Rivers failing to make adjustments and rolling with veterans over younger players who fit better would be very reminiscent of one of Mike Budenholzer's greatest flaws in Milwaukee. After what they showed on Saturday, Rivers has to understand that the key to surviving at center is rolling with Giannis at the five, Sims at the five or using them together.
Game 1 was beyond horrifying and did little to settle the fears of Milwaukee Bucks fans everywhere. To give themselves a chance, this team has to make the proper adjustments. Trying to repeat the formula from this game and expecting a different result would be a death sentence.
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