Benny Sieu – USA Today Sports Images
In game three of the Milwaukee Bucks’ first round series in the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat, everything fell into place for Milwaukee. After being entirely outmatched in games one and two and falling down 2-0 in the series, the Bucks came out on Thursday night and the perfect recipe for stealing a game from the defending NBA Champions started unfolding.
In the end, though, the Bucks couldn’t capitalize on this golden opportunity as they eventually fell to the Heat by a count of 104-91. The loss puts Milwaukee down 3-0 in the series and renders Brandon Jennings’ prediction that the Bucks would win the series in six games mathematically impossible.
The Bucks have to be looking back at this game and kicking themselves because everything was set for them to get the win. They held a nine-point lead after the first quarter and were still up by two points at halftime. Larry Sanders kept out of foul trouble for the first time in the series and produced 16 points and 11 boards. Ersan Ilyasova had another nice offensive game, netting 15 points on 7-12 shooting. The Heat even gave the Bucks a chance with Dwyane Wade shooting 1-12 from the field in the game. Despite all of these things, the Bucks still couldn’t get it done.
Much of the blame has to fall on Jennings and Monta Ellis, who combined for just 23 points and 14 assists on 7-24 shooting. The real issue comes down to the facts that the Bucks simply don’t have the perimeter defenders to stop Miami’s shooters and that they don’t have anyone who can stifle LeBron James.
James finished with 22 points on 9-14 shooting and was basically doing whatever he wanted. Luc Mbah a Moute put forth a nice effort in defending James, but there’s only so much he can do. Ray Allen also ran amuck, hitting five threes and scoring 23 points while Ellis and the Bucks perimeter defense failed to stop him.
The Bucks proved, once again, that they just don’t have the defense or the firepower to hang with this Heat team. Even when a ton of things went their way on Thursday night, they still ended up losing by double digits. That pretty much says it all. This series is going to end in a sweep and there’s not much Milwaukee can do about it.
Cody Williams is a Senior NBA Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.
