Milwaukee Bucks: 3 keys to victory in critical Game 5 vs. Phoenix Suns

And just like that, the Milwaukee Bucks have fought their way back into this series after a chaotic four-game stretch to open the NBA Finals.

Winning consecutive matchups on their home floor, the Bucks have come roaring back to tie this series at 2-2 after a treacherous start. With both teams trading punches throughout the first four games, tonight’s Game 5 back in Phoenix will be crucial to see which team can ultimately come out on top and claim a 3-2 series lead in this best of seven.

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For the Bucks, it is no secret that they appeared outmatched during the first two games in The Valley to open up this series, losing both contests by double digits. That early deficit forced them into a hole that they have fortunately dug themselves out of to tie the series.

If the Bucks will avoid another defeat on the road tonight against the Suns, here are three critical keys to victory they should emphasize in Game 5 tonight.

The Milwaukee Bucks must crash the offensive glass in Game 5 vs. Phoenix Suns

Shooting just 40.2 percent from the field and a vile 24.1 percent from 3-point territory in Game 4 versus the Suns, the Bucks were far from efficient in scoring the basketball. However, in spite of those poor shooting numbers, they managed to stay in the game and ultimately win due to their prolific rebounding on the offensive end.

They would pull down an impressive 17 offensive rebounds during the contest, consistently creating extra opportunities for themselves offensively. Giannis Antetokounmpo would lead the charge with five rebounds on the offensive end, which equaled just as many as Phoenix had from their entire roster. The Greek Freak would get some reinforcements on the glass as Jrue Holiday, P.J. Tucker, and Pat Connaughton would all snatch three offensive rebounds apiece.

The Bucks would score 19 second-chance points in part to these rebounding efforts, which practically kept them in the game due to their poor shooting night. According to NBA.com/stats, Antetokounmpo led the way with seven of those points, while center Brook Lopez followed with six of his own in his 19 minutes of burn. Lopez continues seeing his minutes decrease in favor of letting Antetokounmpo take over at center, and although that would seemingly hurt them in the rebounding department, that was not the case in Game 4.

This team has been a stellar rebounding team all throughout the postseason, as they currently have totaled the most offensive rebounds among any team with 273. For reference, the next closest team is the LA Clippers, who gathered 167. With their size and ever-persistent hustle on display, the Bucks must look to keep their foot on the gas when it comes to crashing the glass offensively and scoring extra points when the opportunity presents itself.