Bucks vs. Nets Game 5 Open Thread

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets — 8:30 pm ET (TNT, TNT OT) — Series tied at 2-2

The Nets were in full control of this series. They stormed out to a 2-0 series lead, with a 125-86 blowout victory in Game 2. Despite missing James Harden since the first minute of Game 1, the Nets were in charge with solid defense and their remaining stars leading the way. Meanwhile, the Bucks fell away from their typical offensive discipline and relied on far too many isolations and rushed, ill-advised shots. In an ugly Game 3, though, as the Nets shot just 36.2 percent, the Bucks managed to scrape past for a 86-83 win.

Then, in Game 4, the Bucks tied the series with a 107-96 win, with Kyrie Irving leaving after playing only 17 minutes due to a right ankle sprain. Durant had his worst shooting game of the series with 28 points on 9-of-25 from the floor, while the Nets committed 17 turnovers. As incredible as Durant has been in the playoffs overall, it’s too much to expect him to win this series without either of his co-stars.

Well, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported, Harden will be making his return tonight. It’s an awfully quick turnaround after Harden was listed as out yesterday, but we’ll soon see how he looks.

Irving still remains out.

It’s so unfortunate that it’s largely because of injuries, but this series has become far more tense now.