After dropping 2OT game, Bucks facing elimination

Despite a strong finish in regulation from Khris Middleton, the Bucks were unable to win the longest playoff game in BMO Harris Bradley Center history and now trail 0-3 in the series.

After Chicago Bulls guard Tony Snell drilled his fourth 3-pointer of Game 3 to give his team a 94-87 lead late in the fourth quarter, it appeared the Milwaukee Bucks were primed to lose their third straight game and fall 0-3 in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Then Khris Middleton took over.

The guard/forward hit two clutch 3-pointers on two consecutive possessions to cut the deficit to one, then nailed a mid-range jumper to put Milwaukee up 95-94 with less than 30 seconds to play. However, a strong drive to the rim by Bulls point guard Derrick Rose sent the former MVP to the free-throw line, where he made one out of two to force overtime despite the roars from the crowd at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

In the first overtime, both teams were limited to just six points, each making three shots. When time expired, the game remained tied, 101-101.

But in double overtime, the Bulls embarked on a 10-0 run in the first 2:44 that would ultimately seal the Bucks’ fate. Milwaukee did not make a single basket until point guard Michael Carter-Williams’ jumper with just over a minute to play. Chicago went on to win the game 113-106.

Now three games down in the series, the Bucks face a must-win scenario as both teams prepare for Game 4 Saturday afternoon. Let’s take a look at what Milwaukee did right in Game 3 and what they must do better if they hope to win Game 4.

POSITIVES

The Return of the Freak

While his defensive play thus far has been very good, forward Giannis Antetokounmpo struggled offensively in the first two games of the series, going 6-for-24 from the field and scoring just 18 points. However, the Greek Freak was unleashed in Game 3, scoring 25 points on 10 of 22 shooting and grabbing 12 rebounds, his second double-digit rebound game of the series. He also showcased his durability by playing a team-high 51 minutes in the loss and he was the only Bucks starter with a +/- of 0 or better.

The Bench

Outside of Antetokounmpo, the remaining Milwaukee starters combined to earn a +/- of -70. On the other hand, the Bucks’ bench totaled a cumulative +/- of +35. Forward Jared Dudley, the only Buck with a positive +/- in Game 2 (as I discussed earlier in the week), had another strong performance in Game 3, scoring 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting with two steals. Also, center John Henson notched his first double-double of the series with an impressive 15-point, 14-rebound, three-block outing.

Rebounding

For the first time in the series, Chicago failed to outrebound Milwaukee. When time expired in double overtime, both teams had earned 50 total rebounds. But while the Bulls grabbed five more defensive rebounds, the Bucks were better on the offensive end by five. These additional offensive boards gave the team more second-chance opportunities, which will be essential against a team that is one of the best in the league on the glass.

NEGATIVES

O.J. Mayo

Through three games, guard O.J. Mayo is 8-for-27 from the field (1-for-7 from 3-point range). Moreover, his three turnovers in Game 3 proved costly for the Bucks. An errant pass in his direction was intercepted by Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, who then proceeded to two-hand slam the ball at the other end, to begin double overtime. This sparked Chicago’s 10-0 run and sealed Milwaukee’s fate. Dudley and Henson stepped up in Game 3, and Mayo must do the same in Game 4.

Turnovers

In Game 2, Milwaukee turned the ball over only four times. However, the Bucks lost the ball 12 times due to turnovers in Game 3. Carter-Williams accounted for four of those turnovers and he has caused eight for the Bucks thus far. With their back against the wall, ball security will be crucial if they wish to stay alive and force a Game 5 at the United Center.

3-Point Shooting

Milwaukee averaged 36.3 percent from 3-point range in the regular season, but they’re shooting just 26.9 percent from that mark in the postseason. Forward Ersan Ilyasova, a 38.9 percent 3-point shooter in the regular season, is 2-for-10 from beyond the arc in the series, and Mayo, Carter-Williams and guard Jerryd Bayless are a combined 1-for-12 from 3-point land. A team that already struggles to score the basketball, the Bucks need to cash in from deep, for if they fall behind again in Game 4, it may be too late to recover.