Milwaukee Bucks
BROOKLYN, NY (WSAU) — Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t letting the sun go down on the Bucks’ postseason run.
The Greek Freak made history with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead the way in a 115-111 overtime victory on Saturday. That makes him the first player in league history to score at least 40/10/5 in a Game Seven win.
Khris Middleton also recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Brook Lopez added 19, and Jrue Holiday chipped in 13.
Milwaukee held a 109-107 lead in the final six seconds of regulation when a brief lack of awareness on the flood led them to commit a shot-clock violation, turning the ball over to the Nets. The ensuing possession ended with Kevin Durant hitting a 23-foot jumper that was initially called a 3-point shot, but a replay review showed the very front of Durant’s shoes were making contact with the line- making it a two-point basket and tying the game at 109.
After the game it was revealed that Durant does wear shoes that are one size too big on purpose when playing, meaning had he been wearing appropriately-sided sneakers, the shot could have been ruled a three.
The two sides battled through a near stalemate for the first four minutes of the extra frame with Brooklyn holding a 111-109 lead at the one-minute mark. That’s when Giannis tied things back up with a hook shot in the lane. Middleton would put the Bucks in front for good one possession later with a fadeaway shot.
Milwaukee went with a limited six-man rotation in the game with Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Lopez, Holiday, P.J. Tucker, and Pat Connaughton taking up most of the minutes. Bryn Forbes and Thanasis Antokounmpo played just over 6 minutes, neither scored.
Saturday’s Game Seven marked the first time in the series that the home team had lost.
Milwaukee’s opponent for the Eastern Conference Finals remains unknown as the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks will play their own Game Seven tonight at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly. Once that’s settled the Finals series will begin on Wednesday. Should Atlanta win, Milwaukee would have home-court advantage and the series would open at Fiserv Forum. If it’s the Sixers, they’d take home court and the Bucks would be on the road for Game One.
Out West, the Conference Finals actually begin this afternoon with the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns playing Game One in the desert. Tip time for that game is 2:30. Game two of that series is scheduled for Tuesday.
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