Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 5 vs. Celtics
The Milwaukee Bucks traveled back to take on the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their first round playoff series, falling in a 3-2 hole.
Both teams had won their first games at home. Now it was up to the Milwaukee Bucks to try and steal Game 5 and home-court advantage from the Boston Celtics. There was an intense feeling about the game Tuesday night.
In the first half, Marcus Morris and Thon Maker had words when Maker went up for a block and landed on Morris’ shoulder. Then in the third quarter, Terry Rozier and Eric Bledsoe repeatedly bumped each other, resulting in shoves and technical fouls.
In the fourth quarter, Al Horford and Giannis Antetokounmpo got a little chippy with each other after a foul too. Interesting serial pest Matthew Dellavedova was involved in none of this.
However, this game followed a similar script to that of Game 4. The home team got a big lead, almost gave it up and then came out on top in a reasonably tight final period.
The Celtics came out strong in front of their home crowd, playing the game at their pace and defending like we know they can. The final scoreline of 92-87 reflects the defensive nature of the game. This is the only game of the series where both teams failed to score 100 points.
The Bucks came out flat and this reflected in the end result. This begins our three takeaways of Game 5.
3. First quarter is key
An interesting stat for this series is whoever wins the first quarter, wins the game. The Bucks were down 23-15 by the end of the first period. It did not get any better for them as they went into the half down 48-37.
This shows that this is certainly a home-dominated series. It is always the home team that has taken the lead at the end of the first period. These players are getting up at home and conversely, being impacted by the opposing crowd.
The Bucks are competing in this series based on energy, mainly that of Thon Maker and Jabari Parker. Unfortunately, there is a different energy when you are on your home court as opposed to the away court.
This is not a new phenomenon. Home-court advantage is a real thing. However, simply winning on your home floor is not enough if you’re the Bucks, who do not hold home-court advantage.
The Bucks need to now win Game 6 on their home floor and then somehow take the crowd out of the equation in the first quarter if/when they return to Boston for Game 7. Failure to do so will result in yet another first round exit for the Milwaukee Bucks.