Each player gave their all to perfectly perform their part in the Bucks’ team triumph. Brook Lopez was a defensive stalwart with three blocks. When the Pacers concentrated on stopping Lillard in the second half, Khris Middleton took over the scoring. Both a vital component of the offense and a disruptive force on defense was Patrick Beverley. The group’s performance demonstrated their cohesion and unique abilities.
You only get your first chance, though. For Game 2, the Pacers will be more prepared. With a 2-0 lead, Milwaukee has to keep playing like the underdog. In the first round of the NBA Playoffs, 183-13 teams—or 93.4 percent of the field—have grabbed a 2-0 lead.
In their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks came out on top, winning Game 1 109-94. But the real question isn’t who punches first, but rather who can keep up the pressure throughout the whole round.
Even though the Bucks prevailed in the opening game, it’s critical that they avoid becoming overly optimistic about their early success. They need to keep playing the underdog role if they want to win the series, which is the true victory. They will remain driven and eager for further victories with this mentality.
For a good portion of its players, Indiana appeared to be playing in their first-ever playoff game. Damian Lillard scored an incredible 35 points in the first half to set the tone, despite the fact that it was passive and starstruck.
This season, the Bucks have played against excellent clubs. They had a 16–13 record this season against teams with a top–ten net rating, according to Cleaning the Glass. In the league, that was the third-highest victory %. They had the second-best net rating.
On the other hand, their record against teams with the lowest net rating was just 20-9. Their point difference was rated 17th, while their win % was ranked 19th, according to Cleaning the Glass.
They are unable to take their success for granted. They need to continue to be hungry and adopt the same underdog mentality that has allowed them to succeed this season. Every time they get overly at ease, we’ve witnessed them falter.