Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks
The Hawks continue to defy expectations here in the NBA playoffs. Even without their star point guard in Trae Young, Atlanta have managed to even the Eastern Conference Finals series to two games apiece against Milwaukee.
The Bucks had the momentum prior to Game 4 since they’ve won two straight. However, they couldn’t get over the hump when Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game due to a knee injury.
With the victory, the NBA 2021 odds have slightly shifted towards the Hawks’ favour, although the Bucks remain the favourites to advance to the NBA Finals.
The Hawks have given us a glimpse on how they look like without their main man. But how will the Bucks respond as the series moves back to the Fiserv Forum?
Today at SBOTOP, we continue to provide coverage for the NBA postseason through this game preview.
Talking Points
Depleted Hawks feel rejuvenated
Injuries have played a huge role to this year’s NBA playoffs but the Hawks weren’t deterred even with the absence of their star.
Trae Young was sidelined due to a bone bruise in his right foot after he accidentally stepped on a referee’s foot in Game 3, and it looked like the Hawks were about to fall in a 3-1 hole.
With Young out, head coach Nate McMillan decided to rely on Lou Williams for his first-ever career playoff start and the three-time Sixth Man of the Year didn’t disappoint with his bag of NBA 2021 highlights.
Williams set the tone early by towing the Hawks to a 15-5 lead in the first quarter as the 34-year-old journeyman scored seven quick points. He eventually finished with 21 points on 7-for-9 shooting, five rebounds, and eight assists.
Atlanta also got ample production from the supporting cast as five more players notched double digits in points.
One of the Hawks’ x-factor in this playoffs is Bogdan Bogdanovic since they’re undefeated in the postseason when he scores at least 20 markers.
The Serbian sharpshooter torched the Bucks with his six three-pointers en route to finishing with 20 points and four steals. And he’ll need to score more points if the Hawks are going to continue their Cinderella run.
Kevin Huerter and Clint Capela tallied 15 each while Cam Reddish and Danilo Gallinari provided spark off the bench by punching in 12 and 10 each.
Now that this series has turned into a best-of-three, the Hawks have put the pressure on Milwaukee once again.
How will the Bucks cope without their MVP?
With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status up in the air, the Bucks are presented with a serious challenge for their title bid.
Him falling awkwardly in Game 4 was a bad look for Milwaukee and it is likely that they’ll rest their MVP regardless if his injury is major or minor.
The Bucks were annihilated in Game 4 since their other star players played poorly as Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton combined for 35 points while shooting at a paltry 12-for-34 from the field.
Holiday and Middleton have no choice but to take the reins on offence if the Bucks are going to beat the Hawks.
Other than those two, no other Buck has scored in double digits which is a concern if you’re head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Milwaukee will have to manufacture additional offence from elsewhere, be it from the likes of Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, or Bryn Forbes – who all can get hot from deep.
Another likely source could be Bobby Portis, who hasn’t played much in this postseason. He’ll have his chance since he’s expected to play heavy minutes with Giannis Antetokounmpo out.
History
To say that the Eastern Conference Finals showdown between the Hawks and the Bucks is surprising is an understatement because both teams aren’t exactly fixtures in one of the NBA’s biggest stages.
The Hawks’ last ECF appearance dates back to 2015 led by current Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer. However, they were swept by the LeBron James-led Cavaliers in four games.
Meanwhile, this is the Bucks first ECF series since 2001 to where they lost to the Sixers in seven games. It was one of the best series in recent memory as Ray Allen and Allen Iverson went toe-to-toe.
Atlanta and Milwaukee’s most recent playoff encounter prior to this series is back in 2010 during the first round.
In the said series, Milwaukee were undermanned without their star center in Andrew Bogut and Atlanta eventually moved on to the ECSF after seven games.
The Bucks were led by the likes of Brandon Jennings, John Salmons, and Ersan Ilyasova, while the Hawks were spearheaded by the lethal frontcourt trio of Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Joe Johnson.
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