Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Celtics

2. Bledsoe and the supporting cast have to be better

The Bucks wasted two 30-point performances from their best two players in Game 1. With Giannis and Middleton combining for 66 points on 23-of-41 shooting, this was a very winnable game. Unfortunately, the third member of their supposed Big 3, Eric Bledsoe, failed to show up — along with the rest of the supporting cast.

There’s no way to put this nicely: If Bledsoe continues to be outplayed by Terry Rozier, the Bucks might as well start planning their summer vacations.

While Bled posted a negligible nine points, four rebounds and four assists on 4-of-12 shooting, Rozier finished with 23 points, four rebounds and three assists, including a critical late-game crossover and 3-pointer that left Bledsoe in Concord.

That’s one hell of a way to flush 45 Giannis minutes and 47 Middleton minutes down the toilet, even when the latter bailed Bledsoe out with his half-court miracle shot on the next play.

Bledsoe finished with more turnovers (five) and fouls (six) than assists (four), but he wasn’t the only supporting cast member who no-showed Game 1. Tony Snell was entirely too timid for someone who played 33 minutes, finishing with two points and three rebounds on 1-of-4 shooting.

Jabari Parker played a measly 14 minutes, managing two points. He has to be better in his limited minutes, because it’s been hard to make a case for him staying on the floor longer than that.

John Henson helped out with six blocks on the defensive end, but his six points and seven boards weren’t enough for a guy who logged 37 minutes. Outside of Malcolm Brogdon (16 points on 6-of-13 shooting), no one gave the Bucks’ stars much help.

That has to change in Game 2, especially from the point guard position. Milwaukee can’t afford to record nearly as many turnovers (20) as assists (22), and it can’t afford for Bledsoe to play like anything less than the game-changer he was expected to be.