Bucks Can Beat Brooklyn but They Must Make More 3's

The second round of the NBA playoffs has finally arrived, and the Brooklyn Nets were victorious at home over Milwaukee in Game 1. James Harden only played for one minute, as he left the game due to injury. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were able to pick up the slack, combining for 54 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 34 points, but Milwaukee’s three-point shooting is what really held them back. The Bucks only made six three-pointers all game and shot the deep ball at just 20%.

INTERESTING FACTS

Bucks shot 20% from deep in Game 1, which is nearly half as much as their season average (38.3%)
Game 1 marked the 1st playoff game in 8 GP where Khris Middleton didn’t tally 2+ 3PM
Milwaukee shot 20% or worse on 3PA in 1 GP during the regular season, and have now done it in 2 GP in 5 postseason games

Odds vs. BKN: MIL +135 (Spread +3.5)
MIL Stock Price: $9.48 (via FANDEX)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

BUCKS CAN BEAT BROOKLYN BUT THEY MUST MAKE MORE 3’S

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Khris Middleton, who shoots over 40% from beyond the arc, missed all five of his trey balls and shot a horrendous 6-23 from the field. If they want to win this series, six threes a game isn’t going to cut it, and they will need guys like Middleton to step up from deep like he has been all season long. Shooting from beyond the arc at that low of a clip doesn’t give them a great chance to beat a star-studded Nets team, but if that number was even around 30%, they could’ve at least been in the game towards the end. This would still be well below their season average of 38.3%, which shows that they do have what it takes to win this series.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

KD and Kyrie light it up in Game 1

KD from downtown 🎯 pic.twitter.com/7b8HbAmhwL
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2021

Kyrie sets up KD for the big flush 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Zt7aZlwbTs
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2021

Sweet finish by Kyrie 👀 pic.twitter.com/bu0Qb6rPnZ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2021

29 for KD, 25 for Kyrie in the Nets’ Game 1 W! #ThatsGame #NBAPlayoffs
GAME 2 ⤵️
Monday, 7:30 PM ET, TNT pic.twitter.com/I7Geq7UniC
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2021