5 moments that have defined the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 playoff run

Milwaukee Bucks survive and outlast Brooklyn Nets in an epic Game 7 overtime win

All throughout the season, Bucks fans braced the fact that the road out of the East was going to be incredibly tough. After sweeping the Heat, the Bucks were faced with an even greater challenge in the Brooklyn Nets in the Conference Semifinals.

While injuries had undoubtedly affected the series, primarily on Brooklyn’s side with the series-changing injuries to James Harden and Kyrie Irving, it didn’t take anything away from the thrilling rollercoaster ride that was that all-time matchup. And it certainly peaked in a classic Game 7 that went the Bucks’ favor in a 115-111 overtime victory.

In a game that saw 10 ties and 20 lead changes, the Bucks and the Nets traded blows between one another throughout that Saturday night. The tone was set by superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant, who finished with 40 and 48 points, respectively.

And it came down to the Bucks’ supporting cast for being able to support Antetokounmpo and being able to be the difference late. This silky turnaround shot from Middleton once showed off his tough shotmaking skills and was the decisive bucket the Bucks needed to inch past the Nets with  in the extra frame and give Milwaukee their first Game 7 victory on the road in franchise history.

The Bucks were still handed a bit of luck with Durant’s game-tying shot at the end of regulation being a 2-pointer due to having his left foot on the 3-point line and the same would have been true on his awry airball near the end of overtime. There’s no question that Milwaukee took advantage of such a break and it’s true of all teams that go on to win an NBA championship.

To say, though, that is the singular reason for why the Bucks are where they are today. And the tenacity, determination and endurance the Bucks showed in just eking past the Nets has certainly been on a greater display during these Finals.