Eastern Conference Finals: (3) Bucks vs. (5) Hawks, Part 3 | Bucks win 4-2

[BigDan245]

I really think the bucks will try to play Giannis tonight. I think it’s a mistake. But I can see it Happening. He will be useless if he plays and could have long term damage. I didn’t want harden to play when Irving went down. But he went out there and played at half speed and it hurt the team. He was lucky to not injure himself more.

[TheBoi10]

Vegas loves the Bucks, -3 in this game wow

[djsunyc]

if no trae then home team should have the advantage.

[madmaxmedia]

Game 5 bout to look like a regular season game in the middle of February if none of those guys can go

Or say the last weekend of the season when seeds are already locked up...

[HeatIn5]

is trae in?

[OkcSinceSGA]

Hawks from not expected to make the playoffs to NBA champions?

[BudenFerry]

Hawks from not expected to make the playoffs to NBA champions?

With or without Trae, game 5 is going to be tough. Milwaukee is about to bring everything they have and they will be tough to beat tonight.

[TinmanZBoy]

Hawks from not expected to make the playoffs to NBA champions?

With or without Trae, game 5 is going to be tough. Milwaukee is about to bring everything they have and they will be tough to beat tonight.

You'd be surprised how lackluster Bud's team will bring to you at any circumstance...I will not be surprised that Hawks blew out them again tonight, Khris middleton will be like 0-7 from threes and dare not to shoot

[kg01]

Hawks from not expected to make the playoffs to NBA champions?

With or without Trae, game 5 is going to be tough. Milwaukee is about to bring everything they have and they will be tough to beat tonight.

You'd be surprised how lackluster Bud's team will bring to you at any circumstance...I will not be surprised that Hawks blew out them again tonight, Khris middleton will be like 0-7 from threes and dare not to shoot

Watch he'll come out and score 50 with Reggie Miller shouting, "He's an Olympian!!!" after every shot.

[HMFFL]

Vegas loves the Bucks, -3 in this game wow

It's the home court edge. Milwaukee is the team with the allstar talent, not Atlanta.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[Statlanta]

Wonder how morale is for the Bucks. It was a close game till Giannis got in the accident. Then it looked like they gave up. Will they give in knowing that their team knows more about Giannis situation than the public or will they blowout the Hawks because they shouldn't lose in front of their home crowd.

[iggymcfrack]

If Trae’s playing on a bad foot, I’d really like to see the Bucks run out Holiday/Forbes/Connaughton/Middleton/Lopez for large stretches of the game and attack him. PJ Tucker just is not necessary in this series and that’s an incredible defensive liability. If they play Trey on a bad foot and Lou at the same time, they should have that lineup playing every minute they’re in the game together.

[BrianInPhilly]

if no trae then home team should have the advantage.

Personally, I think home court advantage is overrated. Especially in these playoffs - Seems so many teams, including the Hawks, play just as well on the road than at home. I think it's mainly due to the advantage before was primarily from referee bias - But I've really not noticed much home court advantage with referring at all this year.

[iggymcfrack]

Vegas loves the Bucks, -3 in this game wow

It's the home court edge. Milwaukee is the team with the allstar talent, not Atlanta.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

I just don’t think you can expect a lot out of Trey tonight. Either he doesn’t play or he’s out there with limited mobility as a target on defense and probably having trouble blowing by people on offense. Game 7 when he’s had time to recover could be a different story.

[shi-woo]

Really hard to predict the rest of this series with so many uncertainties for both teams. I would favor the team with two home games left but I can't believe the Hawks are in this position. Super bold pick by me to say that I think the winner tonight wins the series.

Milwaukee does have the talent and allstar while the Hawks don't have any except for team effort. Nate must make the proper adjustments as needed.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

I view that more of a negative for the Bucks. Middleton will be getting doubled and 80% of the defensive attention tonight will be aimed towards him. Bucks are going to hope Jrue, Forbes, Lopez, and Pat can all create consistent offense.

On the other hand, Bucks have to figure out how they are going to execute a defensive scheme to stop the Hawks without their best defender and rim protector. Hawks showed last game they can execute without Trae, and have 5-6 guys who can go get you buckets if you need one. That might be enough to eek out a couple of wins.

Hawks will be playing freely, while I think Bucks will feel the pressure. If Trae does play, he needs to realize he needs to play controlled. No 30 footers tonight. Trust the team that tied the series without you

[GSP]

How on earth are the Bucks favored to win this game and series? Theres no way Giannis is coming back this series and Atlanta is a far deeper team without their superstar compared to Bucks. Even with Milwaukee homecourt Atlanta has prolly been the best road team in the playoffs behind Phoenix

[skones]

How on earth are the Bucks favored to win this game and series? Theres no way Giannis is coming back this series and Atlanta is a far deeper team without their superstar compared to Bucks. Even with Milwaukee homecourt Atlanta has prolly been the best road team in the playoffs behind Phoenix

With Trae hobbled/out, Milwaukee has the two best players in the series. That matters.

[skones]

You'd be surprised how lackluster Bud's team will bring to you at any circumstance...I will not be surprised that Hawks blew out them again tonight, Khris middleton will be like 0-7 from threes and dare not to shoot

Bogdanovic, Lou, and Huerter were like 23/75 for 65 points. All three stepped up in a huge way in Atlanta's game 4 victory and went 21/43 for 56 points. Neither team has been a model of consistency. It's pretty fair to say you have no clue what you're going to get out of this Hawks team too.

I think Middleton and Jrue have too much pride at home to lay down. This feels like a dog fight, or a statement win from Jrue and Middleton. I don't see Atlanta coming in and bullying Milwaukee.

[GSP]

How on earth are the Bucks favored to win this game and series? Theres no way Giannis is coming back this series and Atlanta is a far deeper team without their superstar compared to Bucks. Even with Milwaukee homecourt Atlanta has prolly been the best road team in the playoffs behind Phoenix

With Trae hobbled/out, Milwaukee has the two best players in the series. That matters.

I dont buy that Jrue is one of the 2 best players in the series with Giannis/Trae out. What makes him better than Collins? Bogdan has been hurt but a healthy Bogdan is arguably better too IMO. Capela is arguable as well.

[NDaATL]

Milwaukee is going to come out swinging. We have to sustain their initial punch and the crowd madness and settle in. I'm confident we can do it but will definitely be different on the road. That's where Trae really helps, his ability to get a bucket, get fouled or throw a lob in those situations. Problem is I just don't know how effective he will be if he does play and if he can carry that load.

If he's less than 75% he shouldn't play IMO. Players will be deferring to him while at the same time he can't play his game if he doesn't have the mobility. It would be a distraction.