The Bucks squeaked out a victory on Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum, surviving a meek shooting performance to score the first win of their series with the Toronto Raptors.
Friday night, however, the Bucks left no doubt, claiming a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter and rarely letting it get closer than that for the remainder of the game.
The Bucks now head up north for two games in Toronto, two wins away from clinching its first Finals appearance in decades.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves, however. After all, we have an awesome victory to celebrate. Here are 11 outstanding images from last night's outstanding win over the Raptors.
1. Light it up, light it up
This party is about to get started. #Bucks pic.twitter.com/r47DPOKXHv — Alec Ausmus (@A_Twice27) May 18, 2019
If those are the same glowing bracelets from last season's foray into the playoffs, those wristbands feel like they're made of solidified bacon fat. They look really cool though, as Milwaukee put on a show before the real show began.
2. Cream City crowd
Incredible to see what Milwaukee has become. From can’t fill up arena to sold out and an overflow of thousands in the nearby Deer District. pic.twitter.com/i3swrE1TPy — Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 18, 2019
Sorry, Seattle. We're DEFINITELY never giving them up now.
3. You the real MVP
Most Valuable Pup. #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/fImDfTOHdD — Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 17, 2019
AIN'T NOTHING IN THE RULEBOOK THAT SAYS A DOG CAN'T PLAY BASKETBALL!
4. Brook Lopez fashion update
Just noticed Brook Lopez is wearing a Sonic shirt today. I'm hoping @EvanSusser might be able to confirm rumors Lopez was cast to play the role of Vector The Crocodile in the upcoming 'Sonic The Hedgehog' movie. pic.twitter.com/8QLsyZ9xE4 — Tyler Maas (@TylerJamesMaas) May 17, 2019
Somebody ask Brook Lopez about his thoughts on the design of the CGI critter from the upcoming "Sonic the Hedgehog" movie! NOW!
5. Brook-man and Robin
You guys! Here’s living proof that @rolopez42 actually cares about his twin brother Brook Lopez. He’s at Fiserv Forum, in the flesh, supporting Splash Mountain. pic.twitter.com/KIePbJpcni — Katie George (@Katie_George05) May 18, 2019
While the nation was captivated by The Brook Lopez Game on Wednesday night, Splash Mountain's brother Robin was avidly watching ... reruns of "The Facts of Life." Is there some sibling rivalry we're unaware of here?! Answer: Very much no, as Robin showed up Friday night to support his brother and hopefully inspire another sweet streak of threes. TV Land must've busted out an "Alf" marathon instead of Mrs. Garrett's girls.
6. Turkish Delight
Ersan Ilyasova is feeling it! 15 PTS off the bench for the @Bucks shooter! 🔥#FearTheDeer 52#WeTheNorth 34#NBAPlayoffs on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/jjZMjx1PzT — NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2019
As we all predicted, The Brook Lopez Game on Wednesday night turned into The Ersan Ilyasova Game on Friday, as the key Bucks bench mob piece put in an impressive 17 points and a game-high 22 +/-. The Bucks Twitter tried out the nickname "Turkish Thunder" for Ersan, but the clear choice is "Turkish Delight." Make this happen.
7. Addition by addition
(PHOTO: Twitter/Milwaukee Bucks)
If Bucks GM Jon Horst isn't considered the front runner for Executive of the Year, then don't even give out the trophy. The Bucks' devastating depth, especially those pictured above, have made Giannis and company a crushing Finals contender. They stole Brook Lopez from the Los Angeles Lakers (hey, gotta make room for JaVale McGee!), snatched depth from the Sixers by picking up Ersan Ilyasova, added veteran leadership and more with George Hill (all while dumping bad contracts), and posted another sharpshooter on the perimeter with Nikola Mirotic.
Put an out-of-this-world talent like Giannis in the middle of that, and you've got a pretty much perfectly assembled team – that's only six wins away from an incredible Milwaukee moment.
8. Peek-a-boo
Oh, by the way, Giannis still had a great game. The official MVP finalist netted another double-double with 30 points and 17 rebounds plus five assists and two blocks. The beauty of the Bucks is that you have to pick your poison with this team's depth – and yet Giannis will still kill you in the end.
9. A mild mug
Not quite the full mean mug. That's a mild mug. When you're up by 13 points for just about the entire game, you don't need the full Greek grimace. The scoreboard is already mean enough.
10. The biggest victory of all
There was plenty to cheer about Friday night at Fiserv Forum, but the biggest ovation of the night went to this fan, celebrating defeating cancer with celebrating defeating the Raptors. A sincere congratulations to this woman; you're a true winner.
11. Musical chairs
Two chairs, three people and then a massive power move by George Hill 😂 pic.twitter.com/z85cY5Lnh1 — Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) May 18, 2019
The 2018-19 Milwaukee Bucks: Fun on the court, fun off the court.
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.