Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Pistons

The Milwaukee Bucks completely dominated the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 on Sunday night. There were three major takeaways from the win.

It’s unclear exactly when the Milwaukee Bucks knew they had their 121-86 victory in Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons in the bag. Maybe it was when they led 38-18 after a first quarter featuring a smattering of dunks and complete dominance over their opponent.

Maybe it was at halftime, when Milwaukee led 70-43 after making 16-of-22 shots from 2-point range. Giannis Antetokounmpo had already scored 14 points on his way to an easy, breezy double-double. Brook Lopez (14) and George Hill (13) also notched high-scoring halves.

Maybe it was when the officials ejected Andre Drummond in the third quarter after picking up a Flagrant 2 foul. Already shorthanded, the porous Pistons’ post defense stood no chance of stopping the Bucks after that.

Or maybe it was when All-Star forward Blake Griffin was declared inactive for the game. In a resurgent season, the likely All-NBA forward has been the heart, soul, backbone, brain, kidneys and every other vital organ to Detroit this season. Without him, the Pistons are now 2-6 including the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the news just got worse for Griffin and his team:

It seems like Milwaukee never really knew it had Game 1 won until the final buzzer. The team never relaxed behind Antetokounmpo’s 24 points and 17 rebounds, as seven players scored in double figures. The manic crowd was into it from the opening tip, booing former Buck Thon Maker and showering Giannis with chants of “MVP!”

Here are thee takeaways from the dominant spectacle.