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Milwaukee Bucks defeat Atlanta, advance to NBA Finals for first time since 1974

By Steven Schauer

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 03: Members of the Milwaukee Bucks hold the Eastern Conference Finals trophy after defeating the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on July 03, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 03: Members of the Milwaukee Bucks hold the Eastern Conference Finals trophy after defeating the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on July 03, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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It’s happening; the Milwaukee Bucks are going to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974 after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 118-107 in the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night.

Milwaukee will square off against the Phoenix Suns in game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday at 8 pm CT.

The Milwaukee Bucks won the series 4-2 without the services of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who hyperextended his knee in game 4. At the moment, Milwaukee is saying Giannis is day-to-day ahead of the NBA Finals.

Khris Middleton rose to the occasion and should be looked at as a bonafide superstar in the league after dropping 32 points to lead the Bucks. He took over in the third quarter with 16-consecutive points, including three 3-pointers.

What transpired over games 5 and 6 is what you would call by definition ‘team basketball.’ Yes, Middleton was the headline of the series-clinching win, but Jrue Holiday can’t be missed with his near triple-double of 27 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. He also added four steals and two blocks.

The pieces have fallen into place this season for Milwaukee to make this run to the NBA Finals. The trades for Holiday and P.J. Tucker and the re-signing of several key players made it all happen.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been on the cusp of advancing to the NBA Finals several times in the past few years, and after winning just 15 games during Middleton’s first season in 2013-14, he reflected on the journey.

When Giannis went down in game 4 with the knee injury, there were doubts as to whether the Bucks could win without him. They did and with authority.

Look over the box score, and you’ll see six players in all scored in double-figures. That just goes to show the depth and balance this Milwaukee team has.

The game and momentum changed in the third quarter when Milwaukee lit up the scoreboard for 44 points, including Middleton’s 16 in a row.

After shooting 39.5 percent as a team in the first half and making just five triples, the Bucks ignited the match with nine long balls in the third quarter alone. In the second half, they shot 52.2 percent and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Atlanta scored 29 points in the third quarter, and Middleton posted 23 of his own. The game was getting out of control for the home Hawks.

Now that Milwaukee has brought some hardware back home, fans are praying that they can capture the ultimate prize — the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy — for just the second time in franchise history.

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