SteemSports Presenter:
SteemSports Editor:
On Wednesday night, the Bucks and Raptors took the floor for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final as a followup to the absolutely mind-blowing NBA Draft Lottery. It was up to these two small market franchises to put on a show in the name of the traditionally ailing - but suddenly entertaining Eastern Conference. Tonight, it was the Milwaukee Bucks who took home the series-opening home victory 100-108
This series between two collections of largely unproven individuals carries a different kind of intrigue compared to what we've witnessed of late. The Bucks and Raptors are each led by one seemingly humble star player, and they're propped up by a host of seen-it-all, journeymen vets (Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Brook Lopez, Eric Bledsoe), solid second options (Kyle Lowry, Khris Middleton) and young, wide-eyed talents that could end up swinging pivotal moments (Pascal Siakam, Malcolm Brogdon).
This cast of characters doesn't have a whole lot of playoff history compared to say the Rockets or Warriors. They don't bring the ref-debasing, superteam-trotting, inconsistent-effort-bringing energy that the other top teams are liable to roll out. These Bucks and Raptors are just two hungry teams who want to come out and beat the other. In a sense, it feels like this series has purer intentions than the other matchups we've experienced.
Out of all the players in this series who carry playoff baggage, Kyle Lowry is at the top of the list. Surprisingly, he was a key player in the offensive dynamic of Toronto tonight. Lowry has traditionally struggled to score in playoff games in the past - especially when a game carries significance. Despite that, te played out of his mind tonight, accruing a stout 30-8-2 line on 7/9 from three and 10/15 overall. It was a hell of a night from Kyle Lowry, but Kawhi Leonard didn't have enough gas throughout to edge the Bucks for the Game 1 win.
Kawhi poured in a solid 31-9-2 with 3 steals, but he shot an inefficient 10/26 from the floor. Leonard is doing Kobe-esque amount of shot chucking these last few games, even hoisting up a historic 39 shots in his game-winning effort against Philly in Game 7. Thankfully, one of those shots was the quadruple bounce buzzer beater heard 'round the world.
Giannis was able to throw up 24-14-6 on 7/16 to go with 2 steals and 3 blocks, while key off-season addition Brook Lopez (aka Splash Mountain) pitched in a gargantuan 29 points in the Game 1 win. While Kawhi and Giannis battled it out as their team's top dogs, Brook Lopez was quietly scheming in the corner for his fourth quarter takeover (13 of his 29 came in the fourth). He made his bread from all from his favorite spots at the top of the arc and also at the rim with a grip of dunks, truly indicative of where the league likes to find their baskets these days.
Overall, it wasn't the greatest game from the Milwaukee Bucks, but their team depth rose to the top when it mattered. Game 2 should be an even tighter slugfest between these two Eastern Beasts. I want to see Kawhi and the Raps come into Game 2 shots firing to tie this series up at 1-1 heading back to Toronto. I think the Bucks are just too consistent though, and too good at home. I expect Milwaukee to take the Game 2 W. The face-off will take place on Friday, May 17th at 5:30 PM PST / 8:30 PM EST.
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