Milwaukee Bucks V Miami Heat-Western Conference, Game 1
This series had the promise of all-out war in the second round of the playoffs. The Heat just came off a sweep of the Pacers, and they have a season record of 2-1 against the Bucks. The Bucks had a letdown first game against the Magic, but they won the next four pretty easily.
The Bucks stormed out to a 40-29 lead after the first quarter, a franchise high in points for a single quarter. The heat would come back in the second quarter and chop the lead down at the half, 63-60. The Heat kept that momentum going into the third, taking their first lead heading into the fourth quarter leading 92-86. Jimmy Butler would ice the game in the fourth quarter and give the Heat the 1-0 lead over the number one seed with a 115-104 victory.
The Bucks’ F Giannis Antetokounmpo (6-12FG 2-5 3PT 4-12FT 18PTS 10REB 9AST 1STL 1BLK 6TO 37MIN) was not his usual self. He averaged well over 30 points in the previous series, but on Monday, he only managed 18 points, missed many free throws, and had many turnovers. One good thing for the Bucks was F Khris Middleton. He finally had a game shooting 50% and scored 28 points.
Jimmy Butler (13-20FG 2-2 3PT 12-13FT 40PTS 4REB 2AST 2STL 1BLK 3TO 36MIN) led the Heat and scored a career playoff-high. G Goran Dragic (27PTS 6REB 5AST) and PF/C Bam Adebayo (12PTS 17REB 6AST) also contributed to taking down the Bucks. The defense helped cause the 19 turnovers that were instrumental in assisting Miami to come back after that rough first quarter.
The Heat take game one, but they can’t let their guard down as the Magic did against the Bucks. The Bucks will come back a stronger and more focused team in game two. This will be a tough fought six-game series, but I’m calling for the upset with the Heat taking down the number one seed.
Houston Rockets V Oklahoma City Thunder (Rockets lead 3-2)
The Rockets were looking to close out the Thunder for the second straight game. Russel Westbrook was ready to play longer than they did in game five. The Thunder, on the other hand, were looking to push this series to game seven.
This game was back and forth from the get, and neither team was giving an inch. The Rockets held the lead 51-48 going into halftime. But the Thunder came storming out to take the lead back, 77-75 heading into the fourth and final quarter. The fourth quarter was the most intense of the game. This game was tied 98-98 with 1:12 left on the clock. The Thunder went on to win 104-100, forcing an all or nothing game seven.
The Rockets’ G James Harden (11-22FG 3-11 3PT 7-8FT 32PTS 8REB 7AST 5TO 39MIN) played an overall fantastic game. Unfortunately, he didn’t show up in the final minutes when the Rockets needed that big play. The Rockets only made 15 three-point field goals and shot 34% from beyond the arc, below their playoff series average. They also committed 22 turnovers, which led in a big way and sealed their fate late in this game.
The old guard was out and about. Chris Paul (10-20FG 3-6 3PT 5-5FT 28PTS 7REB 3AST 3STL 40MIN) showed he still has some game left. F Danillo Gallinari (9-17FG 4-9 3PT 3-3FT 25PTS 5REB 1AST 2STL 28MIN) gave the Thunder a nice scoring spark and efficient game. The Thunder’s defense against the high-powered Rockets offense was the biggest reason they managed to force a game seven.
Game seven’s are tons of fun to watch. More often than not, both teams leave everything they have on the court. I see this game being no different. I lean towards the Rockets taking game seven but won’t be shocked if the Thunder muscle it away.