The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off a stellar 115-92 win in Game 5 to extend their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. Playing without their two stars, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks looked like they were set up for disappointment. However, they showcased their resilience in the crucial game to pull off a win at the Fiserv Forum Arena.
Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis led the way for the Milwaukee Bucks as they combined for 58 points on the night. Michael Beasley, Brook Lopez and Pat Beverley also had solid performances, scoring 18, 12 and 13 points respectively. The Bucks started the game slowly as they only scored 23 points and were already 8 points behind after the first quarter. But they picked up their pace as the game progressed and went on to grab a dominant win.
The Milwaukee Bucks now have to win their next two games if they want to proceed to the next round. They have not looked at their very best all season, but their experience in the Playoffs could prove to be instrumental for them. The win in Game 5 is certainly a great morale boost for the franchise. They have more veterans in the roster as compared to the Pacers and if they put their best foot forward, the Bucks could force a turnaround and move into the next round.
Can the Milwaukee Bucks win without Dame and Giannis?
The Milwaukee Bucks became the first team in the NBA to win a playoff game without their top two scorers. However, they still have a lot left to do and practically it doesn’t seem like they can topple the Pacers without Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Dame started the series but got ruled out due to an Achilles injury in Game 3. Giannis has missed all five games in the series due to a calf injury. Some reports indicate that he could be back in time for Game 6, which will be great news for the Bucks. But rushing a calf injury would not be a wise decision as it could get worse and sideline him for a longer time.
When asked in his post-game press conference about the duo’s availability for Game 6, the former Coach of the Year said, “I think they’re very, very, very close.” With Dame and Giannis on the court, the Bucks could cause a lot of problems to the Pacers defense. They both can erupt for 30 points on a night and help the Bucks get to a win.
Since Dame and Giannis have been out, Khris Middleton has taken control of the Bucks offense. He has averaged 26.8 PPG in the Playoffs on 49.5% shooting from the field. The team will be hoping that he continues his brilliance in the remainder of the games as they would not want to rely on Dame and Giannis solely to drag them to a win. The veteran has not had a great season, but he is showcasing his experience by stepping up in the playoffs and leading the way from the front in the absence of the two stars.
