Milwaukee Bucks Grades and Reactions to 94-88 Win Over the Chicago Bulls In Game 5

Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) in game five of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. The Bucks won 94-88. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks are breathing rare NBA air. After defeating the Chicago Bulls in game five, 94-88, the Bucks become just the thirteenth NBA team to force a game six after trailing 0-3.

The Bucks were led by an All-Star caliber performance by Michael Carter-Williams who scored 22 points on 10-15 shooting, with eight rebounds, nine assists, and three (!!) blocks. He was the best player on the floor, despite turning his ankle in the third quarter; and made Derrick Rose look silly repeatedly while attacking the rim relentlessly. He finished 9-10 on shots following dribble-drive penetration.

Shaq quipped at halftime that Jason Kidd is the “point guard whisperer”. After watching Carter-Williams dominate game five, Shaq may just be right. If Carter-Williams maintains that level of proficiency then the Bulls will find themselves in serious trouble.

John Henson continued his stellar playoffs with another dominant defensive performance. In addition to his game-high fourteen rebounds (four offensive), Henson wisely pulled out a crafty pull-the-chair-out defending Pau Gasol in crunch time. Gasol, clearly surprised, bumbled backwards through the lane before offering up a silly looking layup attempt. Henson’s play of late has been a revelation.

Neither Henson or Carter-Williams would have been given the opportunity for their big nights if it weren’t for Khris Middleton’s first quarter heroics. Middleton scored 13 of the Bucks’ 23 first quarter points on 5-7 shooting (2-3 from three). He finished the game with 21 points, four rebounds, and four steals.

The defense sucked the life out of Chicago’s stars, allowing just 33 combined points to Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose on 10-41 shooting. That’s called getting it done.

The series now shifts back to Milwaukee for a Game 6 that no one expected. Regardless of the outcome Thursday night the Bucks have proved they belong among the Eastern Conference’s best. Given the way the Bucks have improved from game to game it stands to reason that Game 6’s outcome could be a very positive one.

For now we focus on Game 5 as we hand out our Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions from their exceptional 94-88 win over the Chicago Bulls.

Next: Reactions: The Good