× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks played almost the entire regular season with a giant target on their backs.

Every team tried to put them down.

But the Bucks still finished with the best record in the NBA.

“We took the best shots from the best teams in the league and held our own,” said Bucks forward Sterling Brown. “We threw a couple punches back and we connected and we won. It’s a great feeling.”

And now that the playoffs are about the begin, Milwaukee is more than ready to aggressively stalk its prey.

“I think we got used to being the hunted instead of the hunters in some ways,” said the Bucks’ All-Star forward Khris Middleton. “We’re used to going after guys, going after teams trying to prove we’re better than them and now teams are doing the reverse to us.”

Teams tested the 60-win Bucks hard, especially after the All Star break. But Middleton said he believes the team passed those tests and is primed to play the No. 8 seed Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs.

Game one is 6 p.m. Sunday at the FiServ Forum in Milwaukee.

“Guys have been itching to get to this first playoff game,” Middleton said.