New Playoffs, Same Bucks, Game 7 Rockets v Thunder!
After two games of action from Day 12 of the NBA Playoffs, I’m giving my thoughts on some topics that arose from Day 12. Today I will be talking about the Bucks and the Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder.
After two games of action from Day 12 of the NBA Playoffs, I’m giving my thoughts on some topics that arose from Day 12. Today I will be talking about the Bucks and the Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder.
Also, it’s crazy that we have playoff basketball in September. 2020 man.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks lost Game 1 of their 2nd round series against the Heat as the same problems they found against the Raptors are showing up against the Heat.
One thing we knew about the Bucks is that they would need scoring from guys other than Giannis. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez played well in Game 1, but nobody else did much. Other than those 3, Kyle Korver was the only player in double figures. Now if Eric Bledsoe was playing, the Bucks might be better. But that is rather he or there.
So depending on how long Eric Bledose is out, the Bucks will need some more offense. But, Giannis has to be better. Sure his stats are cool and all, but he didn’t score a lot like we are used to him scoring. His jumpshot is nowhere near reliable, and neither are his free throws. So the Heat can foul him and send him to the line with nearly no penalty.
Giannis will have to be more dominant for the Bucks to win. Either they post him up and let him operate as both a scorer or passer. Or they make the roller in the pick-and-roll. This worked a few times in Game 1, and they might have to do more of it.
But the Bucks just have to get the ball down low more. They only had 26 points in the paint in Game 1, and the Heat forced them into more jumpshots. They have to get the ball down low to Giannis and get easy points down low.
The Bucks will need a few things in order to smooth out on offense. Giannis needs help without Eric Bledsoe, so other guys need to step up. Giannis needs to get easier situations to score down low, and the Bucks need more easy shots in general. If they can’t address these problems, then they will have another 4th quarter experience where they scored just 18 points.
Defensively, I don’t think you worry too much. Jimmy Butler will likely not shoot that well again, as he is not a great shooter. But you still want to pay attention to him until he officially cools off. I think that the Bucks have to do a better job closing out on shooters. The Bucks are an interior first defense and they make you hit 3’s at a high clip to beat them.
But the Heat have so many shooters, that if you leave them open too often, they will get hot. Heck, even Jimmy Butler got hot from 3, which never happens. The Heat shot 39% from 3, and the Bucks will likely lose if this becomes a consistent thing. So they will have to do a better job limiting 3’s.
The Bucks looked a little out of sorts at time during Game 1, but they also looked very good. They just have to get locked in for longer periods of time down low and get easy looks. I think that the Bucks are capable of turning things around, they just have to make some adjustments. So this series is capable of going either way, it’s up to the Bucks to turn this around.
Rockets vs Thunder Game 7
Game 6 of this series was wild. The Rockets led 3-2 in this series entering Game 6. A win for Houston meant they were advancing. A win for OKC meant we were going to a Game 7.
The Game was much more defensive oriented as teams struggled on offense early on. And the first half was a dogfight between these two teams are they struggled to gain an advantage. That advantage came in the 3rd quarter when the Thunder surged ahead to take a 6-point lead entering the 4th. The Thunder led 88-80 and a easy win seemed certain. Wrong. The Rockets came back and led 92-91. But CP-3 hit some big free throws to give the Thunder a 102-100 lead with 12.4 seconds left.
And then the Thunder got the biggest stop of the game, forcing a Russell Westbrook turnover. The Thunder won 104-100, and we were heading to a Game 7.
For the Thunder, they played very well on the shoulders of CP-3 and Danilo Gallinari. CP-3 had 15 points in the 4th en route to the win. The Thunder played well on both ends and playing like that will likely win them the series. They just can’t allow any big runs by Houston in Game 7, otherwise they will be fine.
Houston still has some stuff to address. Mainly Russell Westbrook. Westbrook had 17 points in 27 minutes. Nothing great, but better than Game 5. Westbrook didn’t play great, but he did have 7 turnovers, and of course he crucial one that lost Houston the game.
The Rockets have still not meshed Westbrook back into this lineup, and now it might be hurting them instead of helping them in this situation. Westbrook will have to play better and the Rockets will have to adapt to his style better in order to play. I don’t think the Rockets can rely on Game 5 happening again. Westbrook will have to be a positive force in Game 7, otherwise he shouldn’t be on the floor late.
So it will be interesting to see how the Rockets play in Game 7, but this series has been very captivating and Game 7 will likely be another thriller.
What Are Your Thoughts On This Topic? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Game-Day Report For Day 13 of the Playoffs Will Be Posted Later Today, So Stay Tuned!
Follow My Instagram To Never Miss A Post: @hoopnotions
