Bucks vs Pacers

[mufan2003]

Thoughts after the first 2 games:

(1) For a Pacers team that has collectively and individually accomplished nothing, they sure do a lot of talking and chest pounding. Bobby Portis alluded to this after the game. Several of the Bucks' players have a ring and deep playoff runs on their resume. Easy to root against this Indiana team.

(2) Hopefully Giannis back for Game 3, would be 17 days since the injury. Not sure the Bucks can afford to be without Giannis for both Games 3 and 4 in Indiana. They can win without Giannis, as they did in Game 1, but need more players to step up and help Dame, Middleton, Lopez, Portis.

(3) Pacers emphasized attacking off the dribble and got the Bucks' defense shifting and often resulted in miscommunication, easy layups. Defense needs to be much better in
Game 3, Giannis would help spending time on Siakam (who is good, but not that good). Indiana is a good offensive team, but the Bucks' poor defense helped.

(4) Bobby Portis had an off-game, need more from Jae Crowder and Malik Beasley. AJ Green is due. Connaughton has been good.

(5) I though the Bucks' defensive attention to detail relaxed a bit in Game 2. Can't have that in Indiana.

(6) Last year, the Bucks headed to Miami 1-1 and held Giannis out for Game 3. The thought was that he could have played in Game 3 but the Bucks were coming off of a
blowout win in Game 2, probably felt they could get away another game without Giannis. It backfired. If Giannis is healthy to play Friday, he
should be out there for Game 3.

(7) Still optimistic, need everyone contributing as the series shifts to Indiana. Fear the Deer!!!