MILWAUKI – Milwaukee Bucks’ first Sunday night was not a masterpiece. They took the time to set up a pick and roll with Chris Middleton and Janice Adetokunmpo, and the former almost threw the ball with a risky pass. After securing possession, Janice then threw a shot at Brooke Lopez, who missed a pass but was saved by a foul and reached the line for two free throws – both of which he did.
A little careless, not at all how they painted it, but in the end good enough thanks to the great contribution of Lopez.
This turned out to be the story of the day for the Bucks, who were not the best in Game 1 of their first-round series with the Chicago Bulls, but took a 93-86 victory, despite turning the ball 21 times, shooting 26.3 percent of 3 points and lag with less than six minutes of play.
Adetokunmpo was the driving force, as usual, ending with 27 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks, but even he needs help sometimes. In Game 1, he received it from Lopez, Bucks’ second-highest scorer, with 18 points, five rebounds and two blocks in one of his best performances since returning from back surgery in March.
“[Brook was] a huge key to the game tonight, “said Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer.” He was very good at both ends of the court. Lots of great games ending up around the basket. He started the game well, finished the game well, a lot of play around the edge in defense. He was very important. “
Lopez played an important role in Bucks’ quick start, throwing his weight in the paint from both ends of the floor and hitting a deep 3-pointer from Janice’s pass. After the first six minutes, he tied the Bulls alone (11 points each) and Bucks increased by 14.
The game could and should have turned into a defeat from there, but Bucks’ rust and negligence prevented that from happening. (A scout sitting nearby in the press box noted several times that he could not believe Bucks’ lack of urgency.) When Janice completed his fifth foul in the remaining 8:14, the Bucks clung to a one-point lead. disappear for a short time.
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Then Lopez stepped up again. He entered the game for Janice after that foul and would not leave until there were only eight seconds left and the game was in hand. During this stretch, he scored seven points, grabbed two rebounds, blocked a shot and helped stabilize the team on both sides of the ball.
His presence gave Budenholzer the confidence and flexibility to be cautious with Janice down, getting him in and out of the game for short stretches depending on the situation. Probably, Budenholzer became too sweet with this scheme, as Janice ended up sitting for most of the last 90 seconds – a decision that Budenholzer described as taking a “little chance” – but it was because of Lopez.
“Brooke did some great plays,” Budenholzer said. “It was good for Brooke to play the way he played while Janice had foul problems.”
One moment in particular stood out. After the Bulls scored to make the game one point with just over 90 seconds left, the Bucks dropped out and moved on to mid-pick-and-roll with Jrou Holiday and Lopez. Both defenders went to Jrue, so Holiday found him on a short roll and Lopez ended up making contact to change the game and-one.
“Honestly, catch his ball in the middle of the fight,” Holiday said. “I think I’m doing my job to attract two people, and then Brooke is taller than everyone. So grab his ball in the middle of the paint and make him decide. someone else … There’s a lot of trust. “
After spending much of the season on the sidelines, Lopez is slowly rounding off. His performance in Game 1 was a reminder that his presence was crucial to getting this Bucks team to work as intended. In addition to going into battle for his own points, he was a big reason why the Bulls shot 11-out of 27 on the edge on Sunday and settled for 9-out of 23 from the midfield. Against a Bulls team that lacks size, Lopez will continue to be a key factor in this series.
“He was amazing in the fourth quarter tonight,” Janice said. “He managed to get to his seats, to shoot his sailors, to reach the edge, to make his free throws. The defense was amazing, racing punches. He is great for us, he is great. He had a great game, we need him to keep playing this way, we need him to continue to help the team in every way possible. He is a big part of who we are. “
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