Bucks and Hawks Advance to NBA Eastern Conference Finals

The first six games of the NBA playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets were won by the home team. If that pattern held for Game 7 on June 19th, Brooklyn would take the series. That pattern almost continued. Almost.

In that exciting Game 7, the score was tied at the end of regulation, but the Bucks held the Nets to two points in overtime to pull off a 115-111 victory to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The #3 seeded Bucks lost the first two games at #2 Brooklyn, including an absolute blowout in Game 2. But while Kevin Durant had a series for the ages, the rest of the team’s Big Three, James Hardin and Kyrie Irving, missed some games with injuries. Injuries also plagued the team during the regular season, proving that assembling a superteam doesn’t always guarantee success. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 40 points and 13 rebounds. Durant scored 48 for Brooklyn.

The other Eastern Conference semifinal between the #1 seeded Philadelphia 76ers and #4 Atlanta Hawks also went seven games, and once again the road team won with the Hawks taking Game 7 103-96 on June 20th. Trae Young had a poor shooting game for Atlanta, but still managed 21 points and 10 assists. Kevin Huerter led Atlanta with 27. A lot of 76ers fans are pointing the finger at Ben Simmons, who had just five points in 36 minutes on the floor in Game 7, and who had a subpar post season in general. The team said it would work with Simmons on his shooting problems in the off season, but there is a lot of speculation that he could be traded; a change of scenery may be just what he needs.

With Philadelphia and Brooklyn out, Milwaukee will have home court advantage in the conference final. The Bucks were 2-1 versus the Hawks in the regular season, winning the only game in Milwaukee and splitting two in Atlanta. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final in June 23rd. The winner will take on the Western Conference champion, either the Phoenix Suns or Los Angeles Clippers.