The Milwaukee Bucks opened the playoffs with some tremendous performance, winning the first game of the series against the Toronto Raptors. As expected, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points and eight rebounds, while shooting 13 of 18 from the field. The rookie Malcolm Brogdon had 16 points and six rebounds, while Greg Monroe added a huge double-double off the bench with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Demar DeRozan led the Raptors with 27 points and eight rebounds but shot only 33 percent from the field. Serge Ibaka had a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
The biggest disappointment for the home crowd was Kyle Lowry, who had only four points while shooting poorly 2 of 11 from the field.
The curse for the Toronto Raptors continues
The Toronto Raptors have never won the first home game in the first round of the NBA playoffs! This was their ninth straight loss in the opening game at home. They had a five-point lead at the half after 29-16 run in the second quarter, but in the second half, they were terrible. They shot miserable 20 percent from the field in the second half, scoring only 32 points. Kyle Lowry, DeMarre Carroll, PJ Tucker and Cory Joseph combined for 19 points in 111 minutes on the floor, while shooting 7 of 26 from the field. Serge Ibaka was the only bright spot for the Raptors with a solid shooting percentage of 57 percent.
The home crowd was disappointed and stunned, couldn't believe what just happened. The Air Canada Center was half-empty with two minutes left on the clock, as the Raptors continued to miss their shots.
The Bucks are young and talented
Coach Jason Kidd should be a very proud man tonight. His youngsters stepped up big and proved that they have an ability to compete at the highest NBA level.
The Milwaukee Bucks are not just a young team with a great potential. They are already prepared to do some big things, and they showed that tonight in Toronto. They have a great leader Giannis Antetokounmpo, some huge prospects like Malcolm Brogdon, Thon Maker or Tony Snell and very valuable role players like Matthew Dellavedova, Greg Monroe, Spencer Hawes and Mirza Teletovic.
Jason Kidd is doing a great job by adjusting his roster, and that's the biggest strength of this impressive Bucks team.
Here is what rookie Malcolm Brogdon said after the game: “We are hungry, we don't want to just be in the playoffs, we want to make a run. This is a message." The next game is on Tuesday, at 7:00 pm.
