[OutsiderFan]

Only one game, but the BUCKS survived quite well today without Middleton, winning convincingly in Boston.

BC

Boston's best four players shot a combined 32% FG and the team shot its worst FG% of the season in Game 1. No team is ever winning any game that happens. Giannis didn't shoot well, but his 12 assists demonstrate how he can be dominant without scoring a lot. Another guy who dominated without scoring (-10 not withstanding) was Brook Lopez. And therein lies the story of this series. The Bucks front court combined to out board the Celtics starters 34-19.  And the Celtics made 0 shots in midrange while Bucks made 7. The Celtics shot 29% from 2-pt range, most in the paint, which is almost impossible to believe. The Bucks dare teams to shoot more 3-pt shots, and the Celtics shot a season high 50.

The Celtics can diversify their shot selection in Game 2, but now Marcus Smart seems to be banged up, which isn't ideal for them. Still, I'm not changing my pick after one game.

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I'm still not going to move off picking the Grizzlies to beat the Warriors. I saw enough in that game to validate why I picked them to win. But I must admit I didn't anticipate Gary Payton II to be given and play such an instrumental role. Not beating the Warriors in a game Draymond Green was ejected for a half, gives me reason to question the Grizzlies, however.

Still, it seems unlikely Desmond Bane is being held to 9 points and 1-5 from 3 again, but then I don't think Jaren Jackson is going 6-9 from 3-pt range again either. 

The officiating in Game 1 was truly unworthy of the competition level. Just awful.

[OutsiderFan]

Only one game, but the BUCKS survived quite well today without Middleton, winning convincingly in Boston.

BC

Boston's best four players shot a combined 32% FG and the team shot its worst FG% of the season in Game 1. No team is ever winning any game that happens. Giannis didn't shoot well, but his 12 assists demonstrate how he can be dominant without scoring a lot. Another guy who dominated without scoring (-10 not withstanding) was Brook Lopez. And therein lies the story of this series. The Bucks front court combined to out board the Celtics starters 34-19.  And the Celtics made 0 shots in midrange while Bucks made 7. The Celtics shot 29% from 2-pt range, most in the paint, which is almost impossible to believe. The Bucks dare teams to shoot more 3-pt shots, and the Celtics shot a season high 50.

The Celtics can diversify their shot selection in Game 2, but now Marcus Smart seems to be banged up, which isn't ideal for them. Still, I'm not changing my pick after one game.

---

I'm still not going to move off picking the Grizzlies to beat the Warriors. I saw enough in that game to validate why I picked them to win. But I must admit I didn't anticipate Gary Payton II to be given and play such an instrumental role. Not beating the Warriors in a game Draymond Green was ejected for a half, gives me reason to question the Grizzlies, however.

Still, it seems unlikely Desmond Bane is being held to 9 points and 1-5 from 3 again, but then I don't think Jaren Jackson is going 6-9 from 3-pt range again either. 

The officiating in Game 1 was truly unworthy of the competition level. Just awful.