The Milwaukee Bucks are now one win away from showing the Atlanta Hawks the playoff door. Rookie Brandon Jennings poured in a game high 25 points to lead the Bucks to a 91-87 come from behind win and take a 3-2 series lead on the Hawks. Game 6 is back home at the Bradley Center on Friday night.
The Bucks, who trailed by as many as 9, used a 14-0 run late in the fourth quarter to end the Hawks 14-game win streak at Philips Arena.
A big reason for the win was the Bucks work at the free throw line. The Bucks made 15 free throws in the fourth quarter alone, while the Hawks had none.
Bucks big man Kurt Thomas also drew a charge from Atlanta’s top scorer Joe Johnson, fouling him out with just over 2-minutes to play. Brandon Jennings said when Johnson left, the momentum slid to the Bucks and the Hawks lost a little wind from their sails.
The Bucks have the upper hand now, but they in no way can relax. They’re one loss away from the Hawks having the edge again. And you can bet the Hawks will be hungry to come to Milwaukee and steal a win back from the Bucks.
The Bucks are creating excitement throughout the state though. They’re outworking the Hawks and more times than not, hard work and willpower wins out over talent.