Bucks Look To Bounce Back And Avoid Elimination
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks play host to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Fiserv Forum on Thursday evening.
The Bucks will be looking to get back on track and avoid elimination, after they fell apart against a hobbled Nets team in Game 5, in Brooklyn. The Bucks got out to a strong start in Game 5, with a, 29-15, lead after one quarter. They maintained control through the second and took a 16-point lead into halftime. However, the Nets took over in the third quarter and poured in 38 points, to cut it down to a six-point game heading into the final frame. They kept pressing in the fourth and overtook the lead just four minutes into the quarter. The Nets stayed focused and executed down the stretch to close out the impressive comeback win to take the, 3-2, series lead.
Kevin Durant put up a historic performance with 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks, in 48 minutes, to lift the shorthanded Nets in the impressive home win. Jeff Green followed up with 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Blake Griffin tallied 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting. James Harden, was initially expected to remain sidelined through Game 5, but in light of Kyrie Irving (ankle) being sidelined, Harden decided to push himself and was eventually cleared for action. He ended up playing 45 minutes and finished with five points, six rebounds and eight assists. Irving is expected to remain out, leaving another tall task ahead for Harden and Durant, however, the Nets' supporting cast will ultimately be a major factor in whether or not they can close out the series in six.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal, in Game 5, while Khris Middleton followed up with 25 points, five assists, four rebounds, a steal and a block, and Jrue Holiday finished with 19 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a steal. The Bucks' defense let them down in Game 5, as they blew a 16-point halftime lead. With their backs against the wall, and with home-court advantage against the hobbled Nets, the Bucks will likely put up a solid fight to push for a Game 7, and a shot at the conference finals.
The Bucks will be looking to get back on track and avoid elimination, after they fell apart against a hobbled Nets team in Game 5, in Brooklyn. The Bucks got out to a strong start in Game 5, with a, 29-15, lead after one quarter. They maintained control through the second and took a 16-point lead into halftime. However, the Nets took over in the third quarter and poured in 38 points, to cut it down to a six-point game heading into the final frame. They kept pressing in the fourth and overtook the lead just four minutes into the quarter. The Nets stayed focused and executed down the stretch to close out the impressive comeback win to take the, 3-2, series lead.
Kevin Durant put up a historic performance with 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks, in 48 minutes, to lift the shorthanded Nets in the impressive home win. Jeff Green followed up with 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Blake Griffin tallied 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting. James Harden, was initially expected to remain sidelined through Game 5, but in light of Kyrie Irving (ankle) being sidelined, Harden decided to push himself and was eventually cleared for action. He ended up playing 45 minutes and finished with five points, six rebounds and eight assists. Irving is expected to remain out, leaving another tall task ahead for Harden and Durant, however, the Nets' supporting cast will ultimately be a major factor in whether or not they can close out the series in six.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal, in Game 5, while Khris Middleton followed up with 25 points, five assists, four rebounds, a steal and a block, and Jrue Holiday finished with 19 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a steal. The Bucks' defense let them down in Game 5, as they blew a 16-point halftime lead. With their backs against the wall, and with home-court advantage against the hobbled Nets, the Bucks will likely put up a solid fight to push for a Game 7, and a shot at the conference finals.