Milwaukee Bucks seem to have a Game 1 problem. In the five Game 1 games that Mike Budenholzer coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the Bucks are 2-3. They beat the hapless Detriot Pistons, and weirdly enough, the world champion Toronto Raptors. Milwaukee is 0-2 this year after they fell to Miami, 115-104. Miami started slow then picked it up in the second half with a great defensive effort and a huge Jimmy Butler game. The hype around the Heat will swell and get even larger as we head into Game 2.

Player of the Game: Jimmy Butler – Against any other team, I’m going fucking nuts at my house for the performance Jimmy Butler had last night. But since it was against Milwaukee, I hated it. Butler had 40 points. He could not be stopped late. Jimmy Buckets won the game for Miami. This is playoff-version of Butler showed up before when he played in Chicago, and a little bit in Philadelphia. This man is a killer and a problem.

Honorable Mention: Brook Lopez – Are any of the Bucks worthy of the honorable mention? Ehhh. I have a hard time with the pick because all of them struggled down the stretch. Lopez did have the best night though. He went 8-for-10 from the field with four made threes. The big man scored 24 points, although, most came in the first half. Lopez picked up two quick fouls in the third quarter then didn’t play for eight minutes. Tough to have a hot second half when you’re on the bench for most of it.

One thing to think about: Fuck the fouls, Bud – Imagine saying this in your best Ari Gold voice (Been watching a lot of Entourage lately, don’t judge).Bud needs to worry about his fouls at some point but he is way too sensitive about it. He needs to ride things out a little more versus immediately pulling the trigger on some guys. Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo can figure out how to play with fouls. They’ve done it all season. And maybe ride the refs a little bit more?

Another thing to mention: I’m not worried even if they go down 2-0 – You might think I’m crazy here or maybe getting ahead of the narrative if Milwaukee loses again. 2-0 is not the death sentence in these playoffs. Oklahoma City down 2-0, forced a Game 7 Wednesday night. Denver lost three straight, and now they’re playing in a Game 7. Miami is a good team who will smell blood in the water, but it’s not over even if Milwaukee loses on Wednesday.

Next up: Yes, Wednesday night we will get Game 2. It is not a must-win, but Milwaukee needs a couple of things to happen. One, Giannis needs a better plan for this defense. Pick and roll with Khris Middleton all game long. Wes Matthews on Jimmy Butler all fourth quarter. And find that offensive rhythm they had in the first quarter.

Charlie.