Will the Winner of this Conference Semifinals Win it All?

The popular opinion among the national media was that the winner of the eastern conference semifinals series between the Bucks and Nets could become the NBA championship favorites. Even with all of the star power, both teams had a number of circumstances to add fuel to their skeptics’ fire. The mantra of Milwaukee’s critics all year was that fans ought to wait until the Bucks prove themselves in the playoffs after last season’s disappointment before attaching any hope to their success. That they did to agree as they were the only team to win their first round series in four games against the Heat. The Nets also had some questions regarding their defensive prowess and comradery, especially given the fact that in each of their regular season games against the Bucks, only two of the Nets’ Big 3 were available. Heading into the series, it boded well for the Bucks that potentially the Nets’ best defender against Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jeff Green, was out. However, the Bucks were also missing a wing defender and perimeter shooter of their own in Donte DiVincenzo with a torn ligament in his left ankle. Unfortunately, these were far from the last injuries to important players.

Just 43 seconds into Game 1, James Harden came down holding his right hamstring. Despite this taking some of the wind out of the series overall, this left a wide-open opportunity for the Bucks to make up for the discrepancy of the star power and depth between them and the Nets. However, the Bucks could not capitalize, as Khris Middleton shot 26% from the field. Bucks’ optimists suggested that the loss of Harden put a wrench in their gameplan as well, and they could respond in Game 2 once they had time to prepare. Of course, that was not the case, and the Nets absolutely embarrassed the Bucks. Their deplorable effort in Game 2 earned the Bucks their largest postseason loss since their infamous Game 6 showing in the 2015 playoffs. This turned the Bucks’ most loyal apologists into doubters as they dropped the ball on stealing homecourt advantage. Unpredictably, the Bucks still were able to defend their home court, and even up the series after four games.

Middleton

Harden’s right hamstring sprain was not the last injury that would hamper this competitive series. Sadly, in a Game 4 loss to the Bucks, Kyrie Irving came down with a right ankle injury. Especially given how poorly the first two games in Brooklyn went, Bucks fans probably were counting their lucky stars that they likely would only have to face one of the Nets’ Big 3 after being matched up with all three for the first time all year for all of 43 seconds. However, Harden returned to join Kevin Durant, as his status upgrades for Game 5 continually progressed on gameday. Even though Harden was still nursing his hamstring, the Nets still prevailed as Durant put up the first 45-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist game in playoff history while playing all 48 minutes. Again, this felt like a deflating loss that would be impossible for the Bucks to bounce back from. Nevertheless, Middleton posted a playoff career-high 38 points in Game 6, and Giannis lead the way for the Bucks in a narrow, double overtime victory with 40 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists in Game 7. Durant missed a shot badly, similar to what he had made previously at the end of regulation. Although Bucks fans were on Cloud 9 following an outcome that wouldn’t normally conclude in their favor, they must be wary of another potential upset in the conference finals.

Durant-Giannis