The Milwaukee Bucks are now one win away from the NBA Finals after beating the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 on Thursday night. Both teams were without their main scorers in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trae Young.
Bucks’ head coach Mike Budenholzer was able to adjust the team’s offensive style in the absence of Antetokounmpo. The shift in offensive tempo allowed center Brook Lopez to shine in Thursday’s win. Lopez scored 33 points, mainly through pick-and-rolls and dunks. Lopez utilized his size advantage to wreak havoc and score from inside the paint. It was a blast from the past for the big man. Vintage Lopez used to score over 20 points, usually from the low post during his days with the Brooklyn Nets.
It was not just Lopez who contributed in the win, but it was rather a team effort. All-Star Khris Middleton produced 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Jrue Holiday had 25 points and 13 assists. Holiday ran the pick-and-rolls that allowed Lopez to score.
The Bucks were also forcing the Hawks into turnovers. Atlanta committed 14 turnovers, and Milwaukee scored 16 points off of Atlanta’s mistakes. This game was a lesson for the young Hawks. They need to fix their interior defense if they want to stay alive. Milwaukee’s defense also did a great job limiting the Hawks’ ball movement.
The Hawks were led by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who had 28 points. Bogdanovic provided a glimmer of hope but it just wasn’t enough. However, if Bogdanovic could score more when Young hopefully returns for Game 6, it will take pressure off the All-Star point guard.
Milwaukee is one win away from making the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974.
Game 6 will tip-off on Saturday in Atlanta. It’s do-or-die time for the Hawks.
