Down their superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a knee hyperextension, the Milwaukee Bucks still delivered in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. The Bucks are closing in on an NBA Finals berth, up in the series 3-2 after the 123-112 win. With Trae Young out for Atlanta, both teams had to strategize without their top performer. 

 

The Bucks started strong and went up as much as 18 points in the first quarter. Milwaukee was up 65-56 at the end of the first half. Milwaukee was ahead by a double-digit margin for much of the third quarter, and was up 13 at the end of it. The Bucks didn’t let up in the fourth quarter, and were able to get starters off the court before the last minute of the game. 

 

Four of the starters for Milwaukee went over 20 points, including Bobby Portis who started in place of the injured Antetokounmpo. Brook Lopez dominated in the paint grabbing multiple alley-oops en route to a 33-point night. Khris Middleton had 26 points and 13 rebounds. Jrue Holiday was responsible for getting Lopez the ball down low several times, collecting 13 assists and 25 points. Bobby Portis took advantage of his 36 minutes to play, scoring 22 points. 

 

The Bucks go back on the road to the Peach State with the series lead to face the Hawks on Saturday at 7:30 PM.