After two demoralizing losses to start the playoffs, it was clear the Bucks needed to make some major changes for Game 3. Their disorganized defense was getting dismantled, and they couldn’t keep up with Indiana’s high-octane offense. For Game 2, Doc Rivers had implemented a new switch-based defensive scheme, but it wasn’t enough. Lineup changes were necessary, but many expected Rivers to stick to his usual guns in that department. That’s why it came as a pleasant surprise when Gary Trent Jr. took Taurean Prince’s spot in the starting lineup ahead of Friday night’s contest.
In the first quarter of Game 3, Trent got off to a hot start with a quick eight points. Then, with around five minutes left in the opening period, he went back to the locker room with a potential injury. What could have been a devastating turn of events for the Bucks ended with a sigh of relief, as Trent subbed back in early in the second quarter. From that point on, the man was unconscious. He knocked down triple after triple, hitting shots of all varieties and sparking a third-quarter Milwaukee comeback that eventually turned into a 20-point lead and a win. Watching it was truly a spiritual experience. Gary Trent Jr. set Fiserv Forum ablaze and gave fans something to believe in.
When the dust settled, the seventh-year shooting guard had 37 points, nine threes, and four steals, all playoff career-highs for him. With his nine makes, Trent matched Ray Allen’s franchise record for most threes in a playoff game. Overall, it was one of the best postseason performances from a Bucks role player ever.
Meanwhile, Taurean Prince played just three minutes on the night. If you were watching the game, you probably didn’t even notice his absence. Prince is a solid veteran, and he’s certainly capable of playing meaningful minutes. However, Game 3 proved that Gary Trent is the better option when push comes to shove. Trent’s floor impact is comparable to Prince’s, and his ceiling is evidently much higher. Trent is not only the more versatile and fiery shooting threat, but he’s also the better perimeter defender.
Milwaukee’s lineup changes didn’t stop with Trent overtaking Prince. Kyle Kuzma played a series-low 20 minutes and did not play at all in the fourth quarter until garbage time after the victory was sealed. In his place, the Bucks ran with trusty 3&D wing, AJ Green. Dairy Bird shot the ball with immense confidence all night. He knocked down four threes in total, including one from parking lot range in the fourth quarter that felt like the final dagger. Green plays a much more clear-cut role than Kuzma and is less of a liability since he forces defenses to respect his range.
Brook Lopez also saw his playing time cut, ending the night with just 15 minutes played and zero in the fourth quarter. This felt like a necessary decision, as the big fella’s slow feet were making him a problem defensively, and he couldn’t get anything going on offense. Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims picked up Lopez’s slack, giving the team a jolt of energy on both ends. Portis scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds while working admirably to hold up on switches.
At the end of the night, Milwaukee’s plus/minus leaders were Giannis Antetokounmpo at +24, Gary Trent at +20, and AJ Green at +19. Kyle Kuzma was -1 and Brook Lopez was +5. The results of Game 3 showed that Doc Rivers made the right decision in significantly shaking up his lineups. Trent and Green, the Game 3 heroes, should remain crucial fixtures in the rotation moving forward. The adjustment may just be the key to completing the 0-2 comeback and punking the pesky Pacers.
