Milwaukee Bucks 2019 playoffs Rd 1 vs Detroit Pistons

[DuWayne Steurer]

This thread will be for all first round playoff discussion for the Bucks vs Detroit Pistons. Game 1 is Sunday at 6 pm and we'll update the thread title to reflect game times.

 

If the in-game discussion gets busy and seems to warrant a separate thread for each game, we'll go that route.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

The seeding went how I wanted. I wanted to avoid Miami, not that I thought they were a serious threat, just preferred Detroit to them or Orlando.

 

More importantly, I spent the last couple weeks hoping Toronto and Philly would end up 2-3. I really didn't want to get Philly in the second. Philly is a real concern for me. I think if we don't win the east it's gonna be their doing. Boston I expect to kick it up a notch now, but they and Toronto don't scare me in seven games.

 

Philly is just so deep and physical. It's going to be fun. With Steph hurt who knows what can happen.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Also, you're not the first person who's told me Game 1 is Saturday, but it's Sunday.

[homer]

Game 1: 6 p.m. Sunday at Fiserv Forum on TNT

 

Game 2: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fiserv Forum on NBATV

 

Game 3: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at Little Caesars Arena on ESPN

 

Game 4: 7 p.m. Monday, April 22 at Little Caesars Arena on TNT

 

*Game 5: Time TBD, Wednesday, April 24 at Fiserv Forum

 

*Game 6: Time TBD, Friday, April 26 at Little Caesars Arena

 

*Game 7: Time TBD, Sunday, April 28 at Fiserv Forum

[coolhandluke121]

Before I say why I think this is a good match-up, let's just be clear that it doesn't mean I would be worried about losing any other first-round match-up. It's just about being able to rest guys and end the series early, even if someone gets hurt or ejected or something like that.

 

You know exactly what you're getting with Detroit, and it's not enough to make the Bucks sweat. Teams like Orlando and Brooklyn have better youth and upside, and you'd hate to see them have a breakthrough and make it a needlessly taxing series like the Bucks did against Toronto a few years ago.

 

It is likely to be an incredibly boring series though.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I agree and that's why I wanted them. There is just no way this team pushes the Bucks to 6 or 7 games like I think could have happened with another team before they shut it down.

 

I'm all for a boring series. I've had a lot of experience with the Bucks and boring first rounds. I'm not even the slightest bit interested in going to a game until the ECF.

[young guns]

2 days off between game 1 and 2 is kinda ridiculous.

[homer]

2 days off between game 1 and 2 is kinda ridiculous.

 

Same for 2 and 3

[OldSchoolSnapper]

2-3 is expected with the travel, but the 1-2 is a little silly.

[SeaBass]

Per Malika Andrews twitter:

Mike Budenholzer said Nikola Mirotic went through his first full practice since fracturing his finger today. He was able to scrimmage and if he continues to feel good tomorrow, Budenholzer said, he could be available for game 1 against the Pistons.

 

 

That's good news, though it's likely he'll need several games to return to his normal contribution levels.

 

As for Brogdon:

Malcolm Brogdon, who has been out a minor plantar fascia tear, did some work on the Bucks' giant trampoline during practice. After most players had cleared the court, he did some shooting work with assistant coach Josh Longstaff and running drills with a jump rope. He ended his work by shooting some 3-pointers.

 

Budenholzer said “sometime second round” is still the expectation for Brogdon’s return.

[OnTheBlack]

The seeding went how I wanted. I wanted to avoid Miami, not that I thought they were a serious threat, just preferred Detroit to them or Orlando.

 

More importantly, I spent the last couple weeks hoping Toronto and Philly would end up 2-3. I really didn't want to get Philly in the second. Philly is a real concern for me. I think if we don't win the east it's gonna be their doing. Boston I expect to kick it up a notch now, but they and Toronto don't scare me in seven games.

 

Philly is just so deep and physical. It's going to be fun. With Steph hurt who knows what can happen.

 

 

Philly certainly has a great starting 5, but they don't have much depth. Obviously given how rotations shrink, that may not be a huge factor, but they don't have much of a bench, so I'm assuming you mean they have 5 guys who are extremely talented and can score the ball.

 

Boston on the other hand goes as deep as anyone, and seems to be a real tough match-up for us. It should help that Smart is likely to be out through the first two rounds. That guy doesn't have real pretty numbers, but he can be a terror on the defensive end.

 

Maybe Indy will pull off the upset and we can get Brogdon back in the 2nd round, he can get back in the flow for what would inevitably be a tough series either way.

 

 

I have a feeling that Golden State's gonna get knocked out in the West this year. They were so close last year to losing to Houston, a healthy Paul and they win one of the final two most likely..and even then, if they just hit a couple of those 27 missed 3's it's a different game 7.

 

But with Durant looking like he's on his way out, the little bickering that has gone on....I sure wouldn't put money on it, I just have a feeling Golden State could lose.

[adambr2]

Nets upset the 76ers in Game 1...interesting. Would be a stunner if the 6ers don't get out of Round 1.

 

Long way to go but tons of pressure on Philly now to win Game and not go on the road in a 2-0 hole.

[coolhandluke121]

Philly has been less than the sum of their parts all year. No reason that would change now. Simmons can't shoot outside, Embiid shoots outside too much, and there's not enough shots for everyone. This is also why I didn't want to play Brooklyn. I was hoping they would be the 8 seed at first because Barclays is within walking distance, but then I though it's too much of a risk of them breaking out. They couldn't beat the Bucks, but they could have stolen a couple.

 

Still think it's GSW all the way though. I know chemistry can sometimes undermine a great team, but the on-court chemistry in terms of moving the ball and complementing each other is still there. It's when the chemistry is messed up on and off the court that it becomes an issue, like with Boston. The Warriors are going to be able to shorten the rotation and play their death lineups more and be as good as ever I think.

[coolhandluke121]

Orlando too! Beware the young upstarts...

[rickh150]

I agree and that's why I wanted them. There is just no way this team pushes the Bucks to 6 or 7 games like I think could have happened with another team before they shut it down.

 

I'm all for a boring series. I've had a lot of experience with the Bucks and boring first rounds. I'm not even the slightest bit interested in going to a game until the ECF.

 

My oh my....

First off, taking anyone for granted in the playoffs is a faux pas.

Second, the Bucks haven't won a series in what, 18 years?

Last, we are one injury from being in a 50/50 coin flip series.

I'm hoping the Bucks take nothing for granted.

[coolhandluke121]

Second, the Bucks haven't won a series in what, 18 years?

 

That has nothing to do with this team or this year. I'm sorry but I'm kind of tired of people (mostly in the media) acting like it does.

 

Golden State missed the playoffs (in a league where more than half the teams make it each year) an almost unbelievable 17 out of 18 seasons after 1994. Then they made it a few times and steadily improved, like the Bucks the last few years. Then they became the best team in the regular season, like the Bucks this year, and won 3 titles in 4 years.

 

Also, Detroit is awful. One of the worst playoff teams this century.

[FVBrewerFan]

I agree and that's why I wanted them. There is just no way this team pushes the Bucks to 6 or 7 games like I think could have happened with another team before they shut it down.

 

I'm all for a boring series. I've had a lot of experience with the Bucks and boring first rounds. I'm not even the slightest bit interested in going to a game until the ECF.

 

My oh my....

First off, taking anyone for granted in the playoffs is a faux pas.

Second, the Bucks haven't won a series in what, 18 years?

Last, we are one injury from being in a 50/50 coin flip series.

I'm hoping the Bucks take nothing for granted.

 

Only if that player's name is Giannis Middlebledsoe.

[TURBO]

I see Maker still can't catch the basketball.

[wildcat83]

This was interesting for about 30 sec. The fact that Maker is starting says enough.

[wildcat83]

What is with Lopez taking 47 footers early in the shot clock? I’ve seen him hit a couple of those this year, but that’s 3 in a quarter and two were air balls.

[FVBrewerFan]

What is with Lopez taking 47 footers early in the shot clock? I’ve seen him hit a couple of those this year, but that’s 3 in a quarter and two were air balls.

 

A couple hundred, but who's counting.

[nate82]

Detroit is just completely out matched without Griffin.

[homer]

Even with Griffin Detroit is down double digits.

[DuWayne Steurer]

My goodness... This isnt even a game.

[coolhandluke121]

What is with Lopez taking 47 footers early in the shot clock? I’ve seen him hit a couple of those this year, but that’s 3 in a quarter and two were air balls.

 

A couple hundred, but who's counting.

 

Yeah, taking all those long ones and still being able to hit over 36% of them is a huge part of their strategy this year. That's key to spacing the floor. Taking wide open ones up to 1 foot behind the arc doesn't have the same effect, even if you hit a higher percentage.

 

Detroit. LOL. Can always count on the East playoffs to provide some real doozies in the 8th seed. (Hi Monta Ellis!)