On Tuesday, the Brooklyn Nets took on the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. With the Series tied at two games, it would have been a big win for either team to go up 3-2.
The Nets lost Kyrie Irving in Game 4 to an ankle sprain and he did not play in Game 5, but they gained James Harden who was sidelined in seconds in the Game one showdown between these two teams due to a right calf sprain.
Harden was not his usual self in Game 5 which was to be expected coming off an injury he ended the game with 5 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds in 46 minutes of play. Kevin Durant on the other hand was much more than his usual self in Tuesday’s game. The formal league and finals MVP dropped a loud 49 points adding 10 assists and 17 rebounds in 48 minutes of play!
Durant stepped up and took control of this game in a big way and led the Nets to a 114-108 victory in Game 5 and the Nets now have a 3-2 series lead over the Bucks. Durant seems to have outdone himself this time and the basketball world (except Bucks fans) are going crazy about it.
Bucks now trail Nets in NBA Playoffs
According to Bleacher Report, “We’re down bodies. We’re wounded,” Steve Nash said after the game, seemingly trying to process what he’d just witnessed. For [Durant] to have the toughness, the mentality, that’s what makes him one of the all-time greats. It was beautiful to watch.”
What’s Next In This Series?
The Bucks are surely left with a bitter taste in their mouth after this loss as things really fell apart in the fourth quarter after leading for most of the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo did everything he could to try to steal the road win in Game 5 scoring 34 points with 4 assists and 12 rebounds.
Khris Middleton played as well as you could have hoped for scoring 25 points and having 5 assists. Even though Middleton Played great statistically anyone who watched the game saw him take ill-advised jumpers and having huge turnovers again and again.
One, in particular, came late in the fourth quarter with Milwaukee down one Middleton had an easy layup at the front of the rim but passed through traffic to try to hit a pretty well defended Giannis. The pass was not a good one and Giannis could not get to it and the ball ended up out of bounds forcing Milwaukee to foul Durant after the inbound play and at that point the game was over.
If the Bucks do not wake up their season will be over after Game 6 in another disappointing postseason. It is up to the Bucks if their season will end or if there will be the two best words in sports “Game 7”.