The Milwaukee Bucks took Game 1, 93-86, in their Eastern Conference first round series versus the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Milwaukee hosts Chicago once again for Game 2 at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday and looks to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

 

Milwaukee didn't have the greatest of starts in their quest to go back-to-back. They struggled offensively, shooting just 40.5 percent from the field and scoring just 93 points, which was well below their regular season average of 115 points. They even blew a 16-point lead and saw Chicago inch to as close as a solitary point with 1:36 left in the fourth.

But, ultimately, they won the game on the defensive end of the floor, holding the Bulls to their most inefficient game in terms of field goal percentage (32.3 percent) and second-fewest points scored in a game this season. Specifically, they held Chicago's star trio of DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Zach LaVine to just 21-of-71 shooting.

In a night where Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton shot 10-of-29 from the field, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 27 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Brook Lopez stepped up as well, going for 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting.

Bucks-Bulls Game 2 Predictions

3. Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday play much better

Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday both had rough Game 1s for the defending champs. Middleton shot just 4-of-13 from the field and 1-of-7 from three. Meanwhile, Holiday went just 6-of-16 from the field and 1-of-4 from beyond the arc. Combined, that's just 34.5 percent from the field.

In three games versus the Bulls in the regular season, Middleton shot 48.9 percent from the field and averaged 19.0 points. Holiday, on the one hand, turned in 19.3 points and 6.8 assists on 52.5 percent field goal shooting and 41.2 percent three-point shooting.

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Those two are susceptible to bad shooting nights from time to time. Both likely just had to get the rust off in Game 1 after not playing in a week. They should be able to bounce back and play much better offensively in Game 2.

2. Bucks hold Bulls to below 40 percent shooting again

Milwaukee held Chicago to just 31-of-96 shooting from the field and a brutal 7-of-37 from beyond the arc. Some of it might have to do with rust, but credit the Bucks as well for their championship-level defense to propel them to the Game 1 win. With Milwaukee's defense already on point, don't be shocked if they force another horrible shooting night from the Bulls. Chicago's bad record against elite teams this season is well-documented. And they've had their troubles against the Bucks this season. In fact, their worst shooting performance in the regular season also came versus Milwaukee, when they shot 36.5 percent from the field in a 94-90 loss in early January.

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1. This will be a blowout

With Middleton and Holiday finding their rhythm and the Bucks defense maintaining its intensity, this should be a blowout on the part of the defending champs. In fact, Game 1 was already well on its way to becoming one, until Chicago made a run in the third quarter to take the lead. The Bucks likely took their foot off the gas pedal, but eventually clamped up when needed. With that, look for Antetokounmpo and company to keep the pressure on for 48 minutes.