ECF Game 1 Rapid Recap: Hawks 116, Bucks 113

Another Game 1 for the Bucks and another blunder. The Atlanta Hawks would come in and steal the opening game of this series, 116-113.

NBA.com Box Score

Despite shooting the basketball poorly from deep in the opening 12 minutes (just 1-of-12 from the 3-point line), Milwaukee was able to claim a three point advantage after one, 28-25. They had fantastic ball movement, creating nine assists in the quarter.

The opening of the second quarter featured the first head-scratcher of this series. Right after the Bucks went on their first hot run of the game, Jeff Teague was inserted into the lineup and assigned to Jeff Teague. It immediately resulted in Young going off and igniting a Hawks run. Milwaukee would eventually re-stabilize, as they carried a 59-54 lead at half.

Trae Young? That man can play basketball. In the third quarter, he was doing everything, ranging from shooting threes to floaters and so much more. It’d help the Hawks build up a nine point advantage in the third. Milwaukee was able to chip away to close things out, but as the fourth quarter came around, Atlanta owned a three point lead.

This game would come down to the final minutes, which is where the Bucks melted away. Trae Young would connect on a pair of free throws to put Atlanta up three with just over four seconds remaining. Out of the timeout, Khris Middleton would get the 3-point attempt. It would not fall though, making him 0-for-9 on the evening for three and putting the Bucks down 1-0 in this series.

Stat That Stood Out

Down the final stretch, the Hawks would get offensive rebound after offensive rebound. There was a possession where they got two straight offensive boards, which then resulted in a John Collins three. A few possessions later, Clint Capela would then get a layup on a second chance. That provided the Hawks with a lead that they would not relinquish. Those possessions were just backbreaking for Milwaukee, as the Hawks got five offensive rebounds in the last four minutes.