There was a moment in the first half of Game 4 of the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks' Eastern Conference Finals series that encapsulated the former's summertime quest for a championship.
Holding a three-point advantage in the first minute of the second quarter, Atlanta shaded Giannis Antetokounmpo to his right from the top of the key. Throughout the 2021 NBA Playoffs, such a move has spelled disaster for opposing defenses as the Bucks' superstar has used his size and strength to drive downhill and get to the rim, often finishing plays with a basket, an assist or free throws.
What met Antetokounmpo on this particular drive, however, was the proverbial "wall" that NBA analysts so often insist defenses must build to stop the Greek star. Three Hawks converged on Antetokounmpo, forcing him to pick up his dribble and give up the ball to Jrue Holiday, who ended the possession with a missed shot. The crowd of 16,478 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, one of a few notoriously loud home crowds in these playoffs, roared at the defensive effort.
The first-half stop was merely one highlight in what amounted to a decisive 110-88 victory for Atlanta to tie their series with Milwaukee at two games apiece as the teams head back to Wisconsin for Game 5. The Hawks shot 50.6 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from three, holding the Bucks to a 39.3/20.2 percent split of their own and only 38 points in the first half.
In most cases, such statement wins for Atlanta in this postseason have been lead by the steady hand of Trae Young, the maestro of the Hawks' offense who has firmly wedged himself among the NBA's elite in the last six weeks. The third-year guard has averaged nearly 30 points and 9.5 assists per game in his first postseason with a litany of clutch moments to boot. His game-winner in Game 1 of the first round against the New York Knicks, 10 assists and timely shot-making in Game 7 of the second round against the Philadelphia 76ers and a 48-point outburst in a Game 1 victory against the Bucks have powered the Hawks to this point.
Last night, however, was a showcase for Atlanta's supporting cast as Young watched from the sideline with a deep bone bruise in his right foot suffered in Game 3. Lou Williams scored 21 points in the first playoff start in his 15-year career, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 20 and made six three-pointers while dealing with right knee soreness and Clint Capela chipped in 15 points of his own (including one acrobatic shot from behind the backboard). All told, the victory was the latest step in the Hawks' stunning turnaround of the last four months and a sign that they will not go quietly.
Atlanta fired head coach Lloyd Pierce on March 1 as the team sat at 14-20 on the season and 11th in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks elevated Nate McMillan to the role of interim head coach and have gone 37-17 since. Their run to the point of being two games away from reaching the NBA Finals is nothing short of remarkable.
Atlanta's performance in their first four games against Milwaukee is evidence that the team refuses to settle for simply outperforming expectations. The Hawks have started fast in the two games played in Atlanta in the series, jumping out to double-digit leads in both first quarters in an attempt to force the Bucks to fight an uphill battle. On the defensive end, the Hawks have swarmed Milwaukee, rushing a typically disciplined Bucks team into low-percentage shots and unforced turnovers. An ugly second-half knee injury suffered by Antetokounmpo in Game 4 only compounded matters for the Bucks as they limped to defeat without their star while Atlanta buried them under 59 points in the final two quarters.
Game 5 will likely weigh heavier in this series than it does in most instances as the Hawks could potentially get Young back in the lineup while the Bucks will be without Antetokounmpo (who luckily avoided structural damage to his knee). The pressure will be on Milwaukee to rally and lean on Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday to take on additional responsibility. If they fall short, the Bucks may soon be watching the NBA Finals from home.
There is a certain aggression that comes when playing with house money. When expectations are low, going for broke comes naturally. After a revelation of a playoff run, the Atlanta Hawks are up at the table after Game 4; expect an all-out blitz in Game 5.
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