Game 1 of the NBA Finals has ended and the Phoenix Suns are up 1-0 in the series. The Phoenix Suns need just 3 more wins to become NBA Champions. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks by 13 points and were mostly in the drivers seat the whole game.
Also Read: Underdog of the NBA Finals Game 1: Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns
What Went Wrong for the Milwaukee Bucks?
Awful Shooting from the Free Throw Line: In mostly all the statistical categories the Milwaukee Bucks were pretty similar if not better than the Phoenix Suns. The Milwaukee Bucks as a team had more assists, rebounds and even a higher percentage from the 3. However, one glaring stat that the Bucks trailed in was from the Free Throw Line.
The Milwaukee Bucks Attempted Just 16 Free Throws to Phoenix’s 26. However, Phoenix missed just one free throw whilst the Bucks missed 7. So not only were the Bucks not aggressive enough but also did not take advantage the few opportunities they did earn.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lack of aggressiveness: This was Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s first game back from injury. He hyperextended his knee which could have been a really bad injury. However, he recovered enough to play in game 1 of the NBA Finals.
BLOCKED BY GIANNIS. pic.twitter.com/JPuX3ikONA
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
In Game 1, he had a good game where he filled up the stat sheet. The only problem with that was he did not do more of it. Attempting just 11 shots in 35 minutes of play is very less if you want to win. As the number one option and the superstar of the team you need to do more.
We can chalk this performance up to rustiness from not playing but need more from Giannis before its too late.
Jrue Holiday‘s Bad Shooting Night: After Jrue absolutely dominated in game 6 of the ECF, expectations for him rose high. We all believed that he would be the Kryptonite to the Point God Chris Paul but that did not happen. Not only did the Paul go off for 32 points but Holiday had just 10.
No, they need Jrue Holiday to stop playing like the ghost of Eric Bledsoe. https://t.co/3h49Y7CINF
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 7, 2021
Holiday did not make a single 3 out of his 4 attempts and missed 10 of his 14 shots from the field. It was rock bottom performance from him and we can only hope he bounces back ASAP.
Could not stop Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton: The Milwaukee Bucks could not stop the scoring from Ayton and Paul. They both missed just 9 out the 29 they attempted. They ran the show and made sure the Bucks lost tonight. Even though Booker was inefficient he still had 27 points. The Bucks had no grit on defense and therefore lost the Game.
If the Milwaukee Bucks want to avoid going down 2-0 they need to make these changes ASAP.
Also Read: Underdog of the NBA Finals Game 1: Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks