Milwaukee Bucks: Keys to Winning Game 7

Game seven. Do-Or-Die. Win or Go Home.

From the boroughs of New York City, the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks are set to cap off one of the most exciting and star-studded second-round playoff series in recent memory. With a chance to cement legacies and become folklore in their cities on the line, the stage is set for the last showdown.

Thus far into the series, the home teams have held strong, and the best of seven series all comes down to one last dance.

With the opportunity to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals on the line, as one would expect, this is a highly anticipated matchup. With a win, the Bucks will be set up with a great chance to win the franchise’s second-ever NBA Championship and a sense of vindication that their off-season moves were well worth the price. However, with a loss, the team will be. abruptly sent into the offseason facing many questions and likely a new coach.

To avoid a premature off-season vacation, the Milwaukee Bucks will need to do something they have not done all series, win in Brooklyn.

Let’s look at some keys for victory in game seven

Keep the Ball Moving

I do not need to dig into in-depth statistics or advanced analytics to convince you that I am right; just watch the game. Purely by the eye test, the offense is much more efficient, effective, and plain better when they move the ball. The Nets, headed by Kevin Durant, are built for isolation, one-on-one basketball. If the Milwaukee Bucks abandon their sets and attempt to win off iso-ball, it may end up being a long night in the Barclays Center for the Cream City.

Since I did mention statistics, we might as well look at some numbers. The Bucks, through three games of this series, averaged an all-time low in passes per possession since the stat was tracked. This is probably why Milwaukee was completely outclassed by the Nets in the first two games of this series. It did get better as the series progressed and became more competitive, but the Bucks still have shown too many flashes of “Hero” ball for my liking.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday all attracting a lot of attention from the Nets defense, the Milwaukee Bucks need to capitalize on Brooklyn’s overly aggressive play and move the ball to take advantage.

Look for Brooklyn to key in on Middleton early in game 7; however, running sets and getting Khash involved with off-ball screens will be the perfect way to counteract this.

Play a Full 48

Entering game six, at home, and down 3-2 in the series was a disappointing reality for Bucks nation. After having a large lead in a crucial game five, Kevin Durant led a surging Nets team and stunned the Bucks to take the series advantage. The moral of the story was that the Mike Budenholzer led Bucks failed to put together a full four quarters where they looked good. This has been an all too frequent occurrence for Coach Bud’s team in the playoffs and something that could come back to haunt them.

In the anticipated game seven, the Bucks need to take some advice from Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur, All Gas, No Brakes. The Nets have such a gifted squad, and the Bucks have the first-hand experience of just how quickly Durant and Co. can come back. There is no easy route to a road win in the NBA Playoffs, especially not in a winner take all game 7, but the Bucks have the talent and ability to do it.

Giannis needs to hit his free throws and maybe even matchup with Durant on the defensive side of the ball if P.J. Tucker gets in foul trouble early on. Middleton will need to be the shotmaker he was in game six, and Jrue Holiday has to facilitate and defend at the level we all know he can.

The Milwaukee Bucks big three has to lead to the charge, but the team, and coaching staff alike, must be prepared and ready to bring it for a full 48 minutes. If they can limit Brooklyn’s momentum and avoid any big scoring droughts, I like the Bucks’ chances to advance.

Let me know what you think are keys to victory for the Bucks in the comment section.