The Milwaukee Bucks are hopeful that the change of venue will spark their struggling offense. The Bucks were 23-18 at home this season, while the Bulls recorded an identical record on the road.

 Milwaukee had much of their success in the first half of the season, when they were defending at a high level and sharing the ball effectively for first year Head Coach Jason Kidd. In Game Two, the Bucks recorded just 13 assists and must find a way to get the ball moving again.

During the season, when Milwaukee recorded less than 21 assists in a game, the team won just five of their 22 games. Better ball movement could be key to snapping the Bucks’ eight game franchise playoff losing streak. The Bulls have flexed their muscle through the first two games and have really tightened things up defensively.

Through the regular season, Milwaukee averaged 103 points per 100 possessions on offense. In the first two games of the series, Chicago has limited the Bucks to just 91 points per 100 possessions. On Monday, Jimmy Butler scored a game high 31 points to spark the Bulls to a 91-82 home win. The 31 points surpassed Butler’s playoff career high of 25 which he set in the series opener. Chicago outrebounded Milwaukee 64-50 on the evening.

 The Chicago Bulls will look to extend their lead in their best of seven first round playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks, when the visit the Bradley Center on Thursday.


 Playoffs 1st Round Game 3 Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.. Chicago Bulls lead series (3-0). Game 4 played on Sun, April 26.

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Since the All-Star Break, the Boston Celtics had the second best record in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs. Boston’s 20-11 mark after the break, was bested only by Cleveland’s 20-7 record.

The Celtics have been competitive in both games of the series and with a little better execution at home could pull off the upset. Boston is very well coached by second year head coach Brad Stevens, and should be a team to contend with over the next few years. In Game Two, Isaiah Thomas came off the bench to score a team high 22 points in a losing effort. The Celtics were out-rebounded 47-39 on the night and will have to be tougher on the boards at home to emerge victorious in Game Three.

 The Eastern Conference first round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers will shift to the TD Garden on Thursday night. The Cavaliers entered the postseason and the odds on favorite to win the NBA Championship this June.

Cleveland took care of business in the first two games of this series, but will have to defend at a higher level if they want to be crowned champions in June. In Game Two, Lebron James scored 15 of his game high 30 points in a 99-91 home win over the Celtics. In his second playoff appearance of his career, Kyrie Irving contributed 26 points on 8 for 18 shooting from the floor. Cleveland must cut down on their 18 turnovers if they hope to win on the road.

 Playoffs 1st Round Game 3 Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics at the TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts.. Cleveland Cavaliers lead series (3-0). Game 4 played on Mon, April 27.

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The Los Angeles Clippers were the hottest team in the NBA heading into the playoffs and they were able to carry that momentum into the playoffs in Game One. All-Star PG Chris Paul looked like a man determined to see his team go deep into the playoffs this year.

Paul was aggressive on offense from the start and finished the night with 32 points and six assists. Blake Griffin contributed 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the victory. As a team, the Clippers shot 51% overall from the field and connected on 10 for 18 three point attempts.

 San Antonio finished the season strong, but a loss in the final game of the regular season dropped them from the #2 seed all the way down to the #6 seed. In Game One, the Spurs were unable to match the athleticism of the Clippers in a 107-92 loss.

San Antonio was outscored 30-18 in the first quarter and shot just 37% from the field overall. Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points to lead the Spurs, but had a plus minus rating of -21 in his 33 minutes of action. Patty Mills was a spark of the bench with nine points and a plus minus rating of +15. Game two of the Western Conference first round playoff series between the San Antonio Spurs will take place on Wednesday night from Staples Center.

 Playoffs 1st Round Game 2 San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California.. San Antonio Spurs tied series against Los Angeles Clippers (1-1). Game 3 played on Sat, April 25.

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Playoffs 1st Round Game 2 Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee.. Memphis Grizzlies lead series (2-0). Game 3 played on Sun, April 26.

 The Memphis Grizzlies could not have been too happy being a 5 seed in the Western Conference, after sitting in 2nd place for most of the season. The Grizzlies fell in the standings due in large part to a 5-6 record to finish the season. In Game One, Memphis looked a lot like the team that was good enough to be a #2 seed.

The win made it ten out of eleven wins for the Grizzlies over the Blazers overall. Reserve G Beno Udrih provided a huge spark with 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on the night. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph both contributed double figures in scoring and rebound while controlling the paint defensively.

 In Game One, the Banged up Blazers looked overmatch in a 100-86 thrashing. The final score is much closer than the game actually was, as Portland outscored Memphis 24-14 in the final quarter. The Blazers played without SG Arron Afflalo, who was forced to miss the game with a shoulder sprain.

 All-Star PF LaMarcus Aldridge scored 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a losing effort. If Portland is to win Game Two, they will have to improve on their ice cold 34% shooting in the opener.  

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Playoffs 1st Round Game 2 Brooklyn Nets vs Atlanta Hawks at the Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia.. Atlanta Hawks lead series (2-0). Game 3 played on Sun, April 26.

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Playoffs 1st Round Game 2 Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, Houston, Texas.. Houston Rockets lead series (2-0). Game 3 played on Sat, April 25.

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Playoffs 1st Round Game 2 Washington Wizards vs Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario.. Washington Wizards lead series (2-0). Game 3 played on Sat, April 25.

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