Milwaukee Bucks started off their season with a tough opener. They had to begin the year in Houston against a much-hyped Rockets team with Russell Westbrook joining James Harden. Bucks did not get off to the best start trailing 16 at halftime. Milwaukee bounced back though. They had a strong second half led by Giannis Antetokounmpo. He dropped a triple-double and looked like the best player playing along some of the best players in the league.

Player of the Game: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Giannis dominated this basketball game. Make no mistake about it that he outplayed Westbrook and Harden on Thursday. Giannis scored 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. That is a helluva way to start the season. Antetokounmpo played a major role in leading the Bucks back in the comeback victory. It’s unfortunate he fouled out with five minutes left because that stat line would have been massive.

Honorable Mention: Ersan Ilyasova – Listen, he played great in the second half. Some people do not like Ilyasova, but he is such a grinder. I get it. There are some games where he seems out of his element, but this game was not one of them. Ersan had a major role in this comeback. He scored 13 points and 11 rebounds including the dagger to put away the Rockets in the late fourth quarter.

One Thing I Liked: I actually liked the Bucks had to close out without Giannis – This sounds weird, I know. But part of me likes the fact that Milwaukee had to close it out without Antetokounmpo. No one really had a great game besides Giannis, yet Milwaukee found a way to win the game. Ilyasova, Wes Matthews, and Khris Middleton all played a huge part in winning the game.

One Thing I Didn’t Like: Free throws were not great in Game 1 – Milwaukee did not add some points from the charity stripe last night. Bucks were a putrid 50 percent from the free-throw line. It is a game one so I will not overreact but that’s ridiculous. Most of that is Giannis as he missed five free throws.

Next up: Milwaukee opens up the season at the Fiserv Forum on Saturday late afternoon against Miami. Jimmy Butler missed the opener for personal reasons, and Dion Waters was suspended so we’ll see what happens with the Heat’s roster. Bucks dominated three of the four games against Miami last season, and the only loss happened after a brutal back-to-back although we can agree this is a different Heat team.

Charlie.