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Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from surprising Game 1 loss vs. Celtics

By Ryan Piers

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 28: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game One of Round Two of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Fiserv Forum on April 28, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 28: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game One of Round Two of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Fiserv Forum on April 28, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. This is an even 1 vs. 4 matchup

We were kidding ourselves if we thought the Bucks were going to dominate this series. Yes,  Milwaukee the won 11 more games than Boston in the regular season. Yes, the Bucks were nearly eight-point favorites entering Game 1. Yes, Boston is missing its defensive dog in Marcus Smart.

Still, these teams are even at best. While the Bucks earned the NBA’s best record, the Celtics still have the most postseason experience. Irving’s 45-12 playoff record is incredible. Brad Stevens is considered a coaching prodigy largely in part because of his masterful work in the postseason at both the college and pro level.

Let’s not forgot Boston was the media favorite to win the Eastern Conference at the beginning of the season.

Simply put, Boston is an elite team just like Milwaukee. The roster is loaded with scoring options and plays a contemporary, difficult-to-defend brand of basketball, like Milwaukee. Bucks fans were understandably confident entering the postseason.

Game 1 showed Milwaukee is in for a dog fight against the No. 4 seed. In fact, just throw out the numbers next to the team names, because these two squads appear to be evenly matched. The Bucks might even be slight underdogs.

Next. Top 100 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season. dark

If Milwaukee’s season has at least six games remaining, they are going to be a battle.

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