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Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets caught fire in Game 5 and downed the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2021 NBA playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. had a 17-point lead but blew it down the stretch and now they have a chance to keep their season alive at home in Game 6.
Match Details
Fixture - Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks | Game 6, 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Date & Time - Thursday, June 17th, 2021; 8:30 PM ET (June 18th, 6:00 AM IST).
Venue - Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI.
Milwaukee Bucks Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks face their biggest game of the season in Game 6. They face elimination for the first time in the 2021 NBA playoffs and now must do whatever is necessary to stop the Brooklyn Nets. The Milwaukee Bucks took control of the game in the first half and held a 17-point lead at one point in the game but collapsed in the second half. They reverted to isolation offense and swayed away from the ball movement that had given them success earlier.
The Milwaukee Bucks also didn't shoot the ball particularly well down the stretch. They shot 42% from the field in the fourth quarter, including just 16% from three-point range and combined for 21 as a team. Meanwhile, the Nets shot 62% in the fourth period and Durant went for 20 just by himself.
Khris Middleton dropped 25, Jrue Holiday had 19 and Brook Lopez contributed 15 points. Even though PJ Tucker went scoreless in the game, his duties were mainly defensive. Moreover, their best three-point shooter, Bryn Forbes just got one shot attempt from beyond the arc in the entire game.
Key Player - Giannis Antetokounmpo
Although the Milwaukee Bucks lost, it wasn't because of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He fumbled the ball in the final seconds, which would have tied the game, but his overall production was excellent. Antetokounmpo dropped 34 points on 14-22 shooting from the floor and made 2-of-4 three-pointers. He was also not particularly bad from the charity stripe as he made four of his seven free throw attempts.
However, the 2020 DPOY needs to take a stand against Kevin Durant to stop him from going off in Game 6. Giannis at 6-foot-11 did not guard a scorching-hot Kevin Durant for any part of the game, and he faced major criticism for that. Coach Budenholzer had no answers for KD and the fans demanded to see Antetokounmpo, a first-team All-Defense member, guard Durant. Giannis has now said he will do so in Game 6.
Brooklyn Nets Preview
The Brooklyn Nets were saved by Kevin Durant and Jeff Green's exploits in Game 5. The two players were the only players making buckets at the start of the game while the rest of the team was cold from the floor. Jeff Green contributed with 27 points off the bench and made 8-of-11 shots, including a remarkable 7-of-8 three-pointers. However, the focus is on the absolutely negligible performances from James Harden and Joe Harris. Harden was 1-of-10 from the field and missed all eight of his three-point attempts while Joe Harris was 2-11 from the field. Both players had just five points each at the end of the night.
The Brooklyn Nets have to close the series out in Game 6. Even if Harden and Harris contribute just slightly more than they did in Game 5, the Nets will have a stronger chance of sending the Milwaukee Bucks home.
Key Player - Kevin Durant
With Kyrie Irving missing and James Harden practically a no-show, Kevin Durant put the team on his back and put on a performance for the ages. He dropped 49 points on a ridiculous efficiency of 16-23 (69%) and made four of his nine three-point attempts. He also had 17 rebounds and 10 assists while being active on the defensive end with three steals and two blocks. No player in NBA history has ever had a 45+ points, 15+ rebounds and 10+ assists game in the playoffs until KD and it was arguably one of his best performances ever.
Predicted Starting 5's
Brooklyn Nets
Point Guard - James Harden | Shooting Guard - Joe Harris | Small Forward - Bruce Brown | Power Forward - Kevin Durant | Center - Blake Griffin.
Milwaukee Bucks
Point Guard - Jrue Holiday | Shooting Guard - Khris Middleton | Small Forward - Giannis Antetokounmpo | Power Forward - PJ Tucker | Center - Brook Lopez.
Nets vs Bucks Match Prediction
The Milwaukee Bucks still have an edge over the Brooklyn Nets to take Game 6. The game is on their home floor at Fiserv Forum and the Nets are still missing Kyrie Irving. Moreover, one cannot expect Kevin Durant to have a historic performance every night. James Harden is still bothered by his hamstring injury and will need to step up big time in Game 6.
The Milwaukee Bucks are slight favorites to win the game, but given how this series has been a rollercoaster ride, one cannot rule out any possibility.
Where to watch the Nets vs Bucks game?
The Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks game will be nationally broadcast on ESPN. Fans can also watch the match on local channels such as Bally Sports Wisconsin and YES Network. The game will also be live-streamed on the NBA League Pass for fans around the world.
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