Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Pistons
By Ryan Piers
3. Load management already
Strategy in the NBA playoffs differs from the regular season. Between late October and mid-April, coaches (Herm Edwards voice)play to win the game. Even in blowouts, starters usually compete into fourth quarters meeting their minutes quotas.
Teams must earn 16 playoff wins to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy. It takes, at most, 28 grueling, physical games to do so. Playoff basketball might require more endurance than any other sport. So in the postseason, you win if you score the most points and you win again if your star players rest late. The Bucks have a chance to win eight times against the Pistons.
None of the Bucks regulars played more than 25 minutes in Game 1. Giannis played 23, Eric Bledsoe competed 25 and Khris Middleton was only on the floor for 25 minutes as well. George Hill saw significant time off the bench. Pat Connaughton saw the most court time with 28 minutes played.
After the game, @gmatzek asked Khris Middleton about the low minutes for the Bucks starters and Pat Connaughton being the minutes leader.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 15, 2019
"I mean, if Pat's leading us in minutes and we're winning these ball games, I don't think you'll here anyone complain, especially Pat."
With a likely matchup with the bruising Boston Celtics looming in the second round, any added rest for the regulars is a plus. The Bucks have legitimate championship aspirations; you don’t finish 60-22 in the regular season with the goal of only winning the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee needs to pace itself if possible, and Game 1 was a great start.