Bucks Confident In Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 123-112, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on Thursday evening.
Both squads came into the matchup without their star players, as Trae Young (foot) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) were both sidelined. Nonetheless, the hard-fought contest began with a strong quarter from the Bucks, as they outscored the Hawks, 36-22, in the first. The Hawks came out stronger in the second and chipped away at the deficit to make it a nine-point game by halftime. The contest slowed down in the third quarter, but the Bucks were able to reinforce their advantage, as they outscored the Hawks, 26-22, in the frame, to take a 13-point lead into the fourth quarter. The pace picked up again in the fourth, as the Hawks made a push for the comeback, but the Bucks stayed with it and made a few clutch baskets to keep the distance and close out the home win.
Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 33 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and two steals, in 37 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 26 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block, while Jrue Holiday totaled 25 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and a steal. The Bucks shot 50 percent from the field, including 9-of-29 from deep.
Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 28 points, five rebounds and four assists, in 38 minutes. John Collins added 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Danilo Gallinari totaled 19 points and three rebounds. The Hawks shot 45 percent from the field, including 15-of-38 from long range.
Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday in Atlanta.
Both squads came into the matchup without their star players, as Trae Young (foot) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) were both sidelined. Nonetheless, the hard-fought contest began with a strong quarter from the Bucks, as they outscored the Hawks, 36-22, in the first. The Hawks came out stronger in the second and chipped away at the deficit to make it a nine-point game by halftime. The contest slowed down in the third quarter, but the Bucks were able to reinforce their advantage, as they outscored the Hawks, 26-22, in the frame, to take a 13-point lead into the fourth quarter. The pace picked up again in the fourth, as the Hawks made a push for the comeback, but the Bucks stayed with it and made a few clutch baskets to keep the distance and close out the home win.
Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 33 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and two steals, in 37 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 26 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block, while Jrue Holiday totaled 25 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and a steal. The Bucks shot 50 percent from the field, including 9-of-29 from deep.
Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 28 points, five rebounds and four assists, in 38 minutes. John Collins added 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Danilo Gallinari totaled 19 points and three rebounds. The Hawks shot 45 percent from the field, including 15-of-38 from long range.
Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday in Atlanta.