NBA Playoff DifferenceMakers: July 1, 2021

What were the key stats and moments from the Milwaukee Bucks’ Game 5 win over the Atlanta Hawks?

Milwaukee Bucks 123, Atlanta Hawks 112

Bucks lead series 3-2

FINAL BOX SCORE

With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trae Young out due to injury, Game 5 was battle of which side was going to step up more. In the end, the Milwaukee Bucks answered the call in a major way. The third-seeded Bucks summarily drubbed the fifth-seeded Hawks, leading the entire game from start to finish. Milwaukee went up by as many as 20 points and kept their advantage in double-digits for a majority of the game.

The coalition of starters Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis was largely responsible for Milwaukee’s win. The quartet combined for 106 of the team’s 123 total points. Can you guess who was their leading scorer?

You may have instantly guessed Middleton, which is fair. His 26 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals were very impactful in the game. But it isn’t him. Jrue Holiday is probably your second one, but he came away with 25 points as well as 13 assists and six boards.

Instead, Brook Lopez led the Bucks in scoring in this blowout. He dropped 33 points, a personal playoff best, grabbed seven rebounds, blocked four shots, and swiped two steals. Lopez last scored 30+ points in The Bubble, but it’s still jarring to think of him dropping major buckets like this. Then again, he was at one time a major piece of the Nets franchise. I suppose he capable of pulling out a big game every now and again.

The thing about Lopez’s big game was that he didn’t even do anything beyond his normal role. Lopez still scored off of rim runs and receiving dump-off passes, but they came at a higher volume. Atlanta’s focus on Middleton and Holiday left plenty of opportunities for Brook to cash in on. Boy, did he take advantage! Bobby Portis also benefitted from this, scoring his own playoff career-high of 22 points.

Atlanta also attempted their own quad of double-digit scorers, but it wasn’t as effective. While Milwaukee’s group scored 106 points on 53.8 percent shooting, the Hawks’ quarter scored 83 points on 46.9 percent shooting. Bogdan Bogdanovic paced Atlanta with 28 points, knocking down seven 3-pointers, grabbing five rebounds, and handing out four assists. John Collins and Danilo Gallinari (from off the bench) had 19 points each. Lou Williams rounded them out with 17 points.

While the margin is a bit surprising, this is definitely a game the Bucks should have run. Even with both superstars out, Milwaukee still has two All-Star-caliber players on their side in Middleton and Holiday. Their inconsistent showings can definitely shake your confidence in them, but when they are clicking, they are truly the better team.

Now the kicker is if they can repeat this performance in Game 6 on Saturday. Milwaukee doesn’t always keep the same energy, but maybe the motivation of the franchises’ first Finals appearance since 1974 will light a fire under them. It’s not as if Atlanta is going to make it easy for them.