Milwaukee Bucks losing Game 1 was the best thing that happened to Milwaukee inside the bubble. Game 1 opened up the eyes for the Bucks. They realized that the intensity had to be turned up a notch with it being playoff time. After that loss, Milwaukee won four straight games and win their first-round series. It is the first time since the mid-80s that Milwaukee has made the second round of the playoffs for two straight years. Miami is the opponent, and there is a great deal of hype around the Heat. Can Bucks shut up the haters and advance to the conference finals for the second straight year?

Player of the Game: Giannis Antetokounmpo – This is a tough one because Khris Middleton had a really good game, yet Giannis’ first half is what notches him the award yet again. Giannis finished with 28 points and 17 rebounds. But the story for him was the first half. Giannis scored 22 points and pulled down nine boards. He could not be stopped in the first half. Foul trouble led him to a tough second half, but he set the tone for the game like usual.

Honorable Mention: Marvin Williams – Since coming to Milwaukee, Marvin Williams’ impact on the team has been up and down to say the least. Big Marv came through with a huge Game 5 off the bench. He scored 12 points with seven rebounds and four made threes. As Orlando did their usual scrappy comeback thing, Williams found a way to hit a big shot to push the lead back out. If Milwaukee gets more Williams in the second and third rounds, other teams are in trouble.

One thing to know: Miami is getting all the national media love – There is a statement called ‘Anybody but the Bucks.’ Why the national media is against Milwaukee has to do with their size, but it’s always there. People will go on First Take and other TV shows to pick Miami today. They seemed to have forgotten that Milwaukee figured this team in the second half. Pat Connaughton increased his minutes guarding Duncan Robinson and shutting him down. Giannis had a huge game against Bam Adebayo who is supposed to be a Giannis’ stopper. We’ll see

Next up: Bucks-Heat Game 1 tonight, be there or be square.

Charlie.