Bucks 91, Hawks 87 (Bucks lead 3-2)

In a game that saw the Hawks up by as many as nine points with four minutes to play, it was Milwaukee’s strong finish that helped them grab a 3-2 series lead.  The Bucks mounted a 14-0 run in the final four minutes.  This biggest play of the game came when Kurt Thomas drew an offensive on Joe Johnson, which was his sixth of the game.  With Johnson out, the Hawks could not buy a basket, execpt for Al Horford (25 points and 11 rebounds), and it ultimately cost them the game.  Ersan Ilyasova came up with a huge offensive rebound and kicked it out to Carlos Delfino.  Deflino hit a three to give the Bucks their first lead of the fourth quarter.

This is why playoff basketball is so exciting.  We have a Bucks team that does not have Andrew Bogut and was down 2-0 in the series only a few days ago.  No one predicted the Bucks to have a chance to eliminate the third seeded Atlanta Hawks.

Here is what you need to know about this game and the rest of the series:

1.  I repeat: “Brandon Jennings is a G.” Like I have stated in my previous Bucks’ wrap-ups, Brandon Jennings is not playing like a rookie.  Tonight Jennings started off hot early to keep Milwaukee in the contest.  He finished the game with 25 points on eight of twenty shooting.  Jennings also calmed hit two free throws to seal Milwaukee’s victory.  The more aggressive he is the better chance they have of taking the series.

2.  The trade for John Salmons was pure genius. Salmons has been a man possessed in this series.  Although he struggled from the field (6-17) for the first game this series, he still had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.  It is crazy to see how much this guy has developed since his days as a back-up point guard that could not shoot for the Philadelphia 76ers.

3.  Jamal Crawford whats the deal? Just after winning his Sixth Man of the Year Award, Crawford played atrociously tonight.  He shot 4 of 18 with 4 turnovers, and finished with 11 points.  If the Hawks want to win they are going to need production off the bench, and unfortunately Crawford is really their only option.

4.  Kurt Thomas, enough said. This journey man not be in the stat line or talked about at all.  He finished the game with zero points (0-1 FG) and 6 rebounds.  In 21 minutes his +/- was positive 21.

-JB