Five Reasons The Milwaukee Bucks Can Win This Series
By Ti Windisch
Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) in game five of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Carter-Williams Is Silencing Doubters
"Game 5 in Chicago is huge for Milwaukee for many reasons, but a subtle plot point will definitely be what role MCW plays. I’m certain he’ll get the start; anything less would be too messy. But if he doesn’t see clutch minutes for the second consecutive game, things may not be looking good for Carter-Williams’ in Milwaukee."
That’s an excerpt from a piece I wrote before Game 5. I was right, in a way: Game 5 was huge for Milwaukee and did say a lot about MCW’s future. It definitely does not seem as though things aren’t looking good for the young point guard’s future in Milwaukee though, considering he had one of the best games of his career in the biggest game of his life thus far.
| Rk | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS | GmSc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | W (+6) | 37:40 | 10 | 15 | .667 | 2 | 2 | 1.000 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 22 | 22.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2015.
Clearly MCW stepped up in a huge way against the Bulls on Monday. 22 points on 15 shots is a great shooting night, and Carter-Williams nearly triple-doubled, ending his great night with nine assists, eight rebounds and three blocks. He went off, to put it simply. But his defense was even more impressive.
| Rk | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3PA | 3P% | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS | GmSc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | L (-6) | 42:27 | 5 | 20 | .250 | 7 | .000 | 4 | .750 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -2.2 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2015.
The above game log shows Derrick Rose’s Game 5 performance. He was a complete non-factor in this game, and hurt the Bulls more than he helped them. He scored just 13 points on a whopping 20 shots, missed all seven of his threes, and had two assists compared to six turnovers. MCW outplayed him, plain and simple.
If he can continue to do that for two more games Bulls fans might have to make some more trips up to Milwaukee to watch playoff basketball, because there won’t be any more games in Chicago this postseason.
Next: John Henson's Evolution