Despite the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in Game 5 on Thursday night, giving them a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
The Bucks’ Brook Lopez scored a playoff career-high 33 points, bringing the Bucks are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974. Four of Milwaukee’s starters had at least 22 points: Lopez, Khris Middleton (26), Jrue Holiday (25) and Bobby Portis (22). Middleton also had 13 rebounds and eight assists. Holiday had 13 assists and six rebounds.
Game 6 will be held Saturday in Atlanta. The winner of the series will then face the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.
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