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The Brooklyn Nets were comprehensively outplayed by the resurgent Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 on Thursday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo and co put together one of their best performances in the series and are looking like the better team ahead of Game 7 on Saturday.
The Nets, despite not leading at any stage in Game 6, were in the contest before the Bucks pulled away with a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter. Kevin Durant once again waged a lone battle for the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 32 points and shooting 15 of 30 from the floor. Meanwhile, James Harden, who has been playing through a hamstring injury, posted 17 points.
The Brooklyn Nets ended up losing the game. They will need to improve a few aspects of their game to have a decent chance of winning Game 7 and reaching the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
On that note, let's have a look at five things the Brooklyn Nets need to do to beat the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday evening in their series decider.
#1 The Brooklyn Nets need to defend better inside the paint
The Brooklyn Nets are vulnerable to being attacked in the paint, as they do not have the kind of players that can help them protect the rim. Giannis Antetokounmpo took full advantage of that in Game 6, drawing ten shooting fouls in the process.
The Nets will need to clog the paint against the Bucks, as that would force their opponents to shoot from the deep. The Bucks haven't shot from the three-point line as well as they usually do, which is something Steve Nash's men should look to capitalize on.
The likes of Nicolas Claxton, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Blake Griffin will have to be at their absolute best to ensure the Milwaukee Bucks do not get to the rim with ease.
#4 Shoot better from the three-point line
The Brooklyn Nets' inability to convert most of their three-point shots led to their three losses in the series. However, they were one of the best shooting teams in the league during the regular season and have been one in the playoffs too.
The Nets are a team that like to dominate offensively. So if they aren't able to play to their strengths, like shooting the ball well from the deep, they would struggle to keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks, especially if they establish an early lead.
As seen in the last two games, the Bucks have been the more dominant side early on. The Brooklyn Nets did well to make a comeback in Game 5, but they could not do the same in Game 6, which led to their loss.
#3 Claim more rebounds
If the Brooklyn Nets are to throw the Milwaukee Bucks off their game, they will need to try and focus on limiting the Bucks' strengths. Rebounding is one aspect Mike Bundenholzer's side are really good at, something that also gives them an edge at both ends of the floor.
If the Nets are able to restrict the Bucks from scoring on second-chance points inside the paint, they will gain an advantage at the offensive end, leading to scoring from all three levels with more efficiency.
#4 Get the Milwaukee Bucks in foul trouble
The Milwaukee Bucks are a side that play with great intensity and physicality in defense. The Brooklyn Nets need to take advantage of that and try to get the Bucks' star players into foul trouble early on. The Nets were able to do that in Game 5, which saw PJ Tucker, Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo accumulate two fouls apiece in the first quarter of the match.
Even if the Bucks happen to take a huge lead, the Brooklyn Nets will be able to impose themselves in the absence of most of the Bucks starters and play more aggressively at the offensive end. The Nets are a good free-throw shooting side and should look to attack the paint, which could help them draw more shooting fouls as well.
#5 Provide better support to Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant has been in the form of his life during the 2021 NBA playoffs. However, even if he posts game-high numbers, it may not necessarily help the Brooklyn Nets secure a win on Saturday.
For that to happen, the Nets' role players will need to step up big time to give their team a great chance to emerge victorious in Game 7.
It is of utmost importance they do that, as the Milwaukee Bucks are a side that thrives because of invaluable contributions from multiple players in their roster. Moreover, Kevin Durant will likely be targeted by the Bucks throughout the game, which could make it difficult for him to lead the offense efficiently.
Meanwhile, James Harden is still not fully fit, while Kyrie Irving is out indefinitely, which means players like Joe Harris, Jeff Green and Landry Shamet will have to play better than they have in the last few games. Harris, in particular, has struggled, especially in shooting from deep. He has shot only 4 of 24 attempts beyond the arc, which has hurt the Brooklyn Nets on multiple occasions during the ongoing series.
Guess the Lakers players!
