Milwaukee’s pick-and-roll sets with Giannis as the primary ball-handler did not work:

With the three-pointers not falling for Milwaukee, you would think they would try to get some action going towards the rim, but that simply was not the case. A lot of the Bucks offense was dormant in Game 1 and consisted of a lot of standing around, but their biggest problem was not finding success in pick-and-roll sets. 

In Game 1, Giannis Antetokounmpo had the ball in his hands a lot on the offensive-end of the court and the Bucks looked to utilize his size and athleticism by having him be the primary ball-handler in pick-and-roll sets. 

During the regular season, Milwaukee found a lot of success doing this by having Giannis drive downhill to the rim, but against Brooklyn on Saturday night, the Bucks did not find the same success because the Nets had done their homework! 

READ MORE: Buying or Selling Latest NBA Rumors: Lillard, Beal, Sexton, Walker, and More

They know that Atnetokounmpo wants to turn the corner every chance he gets off of a screen, so they simply backed off of the screen and collapsed on Giannis if he tried to drive. Very rarely did the Bucks actually succeed in their pick-and-roll sets with Giannis, which is why an adjustment has to be made in Game 2. 

The Nets know that Antetokounmpo does not want to shoot a three-pointer on pick-and-roll sets, so they basically “cheated” all of Game 1 on ball-screens, backing off and turning all of their attention to the 2x MVP. Getting other guys involved in pick-and-roll sets in Game 2 is a must for the Bucks if they are going to have any chance in this series because the Nets are just going to do the same thing they did in Game 1 if Giannis continues to be the primary ball-handler. 

READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 5 blockbuster trades we would love to see in the offseason

Last year in the playoffs, the Bucks ultimate demise came against the Heat because Miami did a great job containing Antetokounmpo on pick-and-roll sets and allowing everybody else to just stand around and watch as Giannis tried to take on the entire team by himself. 

There was just too much standing around for Milwaukee against Brooklyn, which is why they will need to make the right adjustment heading into Game 2. If they do not and they stick with what has worked, then this series could be over much sooner than many had imagined with the Nets beating the Bucks easily.