Every year entering the NBA Playoffs, the number one seed has a significant amount of pressure. They are the ones expected to easily get by the number eight seed before tackling tougher tests in the conference semi-finals, finals, and NBA Finals. However, on Tuesday, the no. 1 seed in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks, were beaten 122-110, by the eighth seed Orlando Magic. Then in the West, the first seeded Los Angeles Lakers were beaten 100-93 by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Let’s take a look at the Bucks/Magic series first. Something is clearly wrong with Milwaukee. Despite having the best record in the East, they have no momentum at the moment. The Bucks have lost eight of their last 11. On Tuesday, the Magic big man of Nikola Vucevic actually outscored the Bucks big man of Giannis Antetokounmpo, 35-31.
Orlando also got off to a fast start, as they outscored Milwaukee 33-23 in the opening 12 minutes. Another area of concern for Milwaukee on Tuesday was their poor free-throw shooting. Orlando made 18 of 19 free throws, while the Bucks only made 18 of 28 free throw attempts.
Yes, the Bucks were the home team, but one must also realize is that the entire NBA playoffs are in Orlando, and that should give the Magic some degree of comfort. The Bucks can also take solace in the fact that the Magic beat the Raptors 104-101 in game one of the 2019 Eastern Conference first round playoff series. Toronto then went on to win the NBA Finals.
In the Lakers/Trail Blazers series, Damian Lillard could be considered the most powerful shooter at the moment. On Tuesday night he delivered two unbelievable three-pointers late in the fourth quarter. One of the three-pointers was from 36 feet with three minutes and 13 seconds left. At the time, the Trail Blazers took a 92-89 lead over the Lakers, and it would be a lead they would not relinquish.
In order for the Trail Blazers to stun the Lakers, they will also need support from their supporting cast. They got that on Tuesday. Jusuf Nurkic and Carmelo Anthony each had double doubles, as Nurkic had 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Anthony had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Five times a number eight seed has beaten the number one seed in the NBA Playoffs. In 1994, the Denver Nuggets beat the Seattle Supersonics; in 1999, the New York Knicks beat the Miami Heat; in 2007, the Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks; in 2011, the Memphis Grizzlies beat the San Antonio Spurs; and in 2012, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls.
