Playing without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday.
Brook Lopez had a game-high 33 points and four blocked shots, Bobby Portis scored a career playoff high 22 in his first playoff start, and the Bucks took a 3-2 series lead. Milwaukee pulled to within one win of the NBA Finals without Antetokounmpo, who missed Thursday’s game after hyperextending his left knee in Game 4.
“He’s so incredible,” Lopez said of Portis. “He does a bit of everything for us. He gets us going, he gets the crowd going when he makes big plays, whether it’s a steal, offensive rebound, scoring an and-1. He’s always bringing energy and I love that guy.”
Jrue Holiday had 25 points, 13 assists and six rebounds in 42 minutes, and Khris Middleton had 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in 45 minutes for the Bucks.
“We did a great job of playing together,” Lopez said. “Khris and Jrue did their normal job of making plays for everyone. When everyone’s scoring, doing their thing, that’s tough for the defense. It’s tough for them to make a decision and commitment.”
The Hawks were playing without starting point guard Trae Young, who missed his second consecutive game with a bone bruise in his right foot.
Game 6 is Saturday in Atlanta.
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How the Bucks won the frontcourt battle
Eric Nehm, Bucks beat writer: The Bucks essentially started three big men ― P.J. Tucker, Portis, Lopez ― in Game 5 and all three made it a priority to win in the paint. In the first six minutes of the game, the Bucks grabbed five offensive rebounds. Every time Holiday turned the corner on his way to the basket, he waited for Lopez to run to the front of the rim and get easy buckets. The Bucks turned to Lopez in the pick-and-roll as well and Lopez delivered.
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How Milwaukee clinches series in Game 6
Nehm: The Bucks cannot let the Hawks throw the first punch in Game 6. In the Bucks' first two games in Atlanta, the Hawks jumped out to early leads, and the Bucks needed to claw their way back into it. They managed to do it in Game 3 but failed to make the comeback in Game 4.
To close out the series in six games, the Bucks need to be aggressive from the start and put the Hawks away.
Can the Hawks extend series without Trae?
Chris Kirschner, Hawks beat writer: Technically, yes, they can come back and win two straight. The Hawks looked great in Game 4 without him as Lou Williams stepped in and delivered in his place. It’s a massive ask though to get winning performances from guys not named Young in two straight games, one of which would be a Game 7 in Milwaukee.
The Hawks are on life support, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned about this team, it’s to not count them out.
(Photo: Stacy Revere/ Getty Images)