The Bucks have started the course in style: receiving the championship ring and emphatically defeating what is supposed to be their main rival in the Eastern Conference. Not even writing the script themselves would have gone better, and the party was complete at Fiverv Forum with a team that took 48 minutes to show that they are exactly the same fearsome set; one in which a certain Giannis Antetokounmpo imposes his law.
127-104 was the bottom line in Wisconsin. A vibrant duel was expected, but Milwaukee was quick to show that it has the better greased machine than the Nets. Already in the first quarter they achieved an income of 19 points (31-13) and although Brooklyn approached at times in the electronic (they reached six points), the current champions knew how to manage their income at all times to navigate to victory with calm and authority.
For Antetokounmpo it was an emotional night, as it was a party in which the great achievement achieved a few months ago was revealed. The Greek recognizes it this way, but in the same way it is clear that now a new adventure begins.
«We are part of history. I’m excited. But now it’s over. We have to focus on building good habits, keep moving forward, and keep playing basketball well. Hopefully we can repeat this again this year, next year and every year that we are on this path, “he says after signing 32 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks.
The Bucks are a great team. The Greek Freak leads the band, but with him he has a group of players who complement him perfectly. Jrue Holiday was absent last night due to injury. It was not necessary. Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton added 20 points each to help Milwaukee keep Brooklyn out of the loop. It’s too early to say, but performances like this mark him out as the rival to beat.
The Nets, one step behind
Nobody doubts Brooklyn’s options this season, but everything that happened with Kyrie Irving (he is not vaccinated and he did not play) puts them a little behind in the race that has just started for now. Kevin Durant went up to 32 points and 11 rebounds, and James Harden approached the triple-double with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. It was not enough to fight until the end, and that Patty Mills, one of the signings this summer, was splendid with 21 points and 7 of 7 in triples.
“We were not very good. If you are not playing at a high level against the champions, you are not going to win. Simple and blunt, this is how Steve Nash explained what happened on the track in the debut of his team in the 2021-22 campaign.
On the development of the meeting, it made it clear that Milwaukee continues to outperform the Nets in vital aspects of the game. The Wisconsin men dominated the rebound 54-44 and were able to make up to 21 more shots to baskets. These situations already occurred in the past playoffs. There is a long way to go, but Brooklyn is one step behind its rival.
(Photograph by Stacy Revere / Getty Images)