Antetokounmpo Outduels Durant As Bucks Oust Nets To Reach East Finals
Muhammad Irfan Published June 20, 2021 | 11:40 AM
Los Angeles, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jun, 2021 ) :Giannis Antetokounmpo had 40 points and 13 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111 in a thrilling game-seven overtime on Saturday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
The best-of-seven series has featured almost everything, including epic scoring performances, aggressive fouls, rim-rattling dunks, series-ending injuries and of course, Saturday's winner-take-all game seven which turned into a see-saw affair with dozens of lead changes throughout.
The only thing missing was an overtime which Kevin Durant set the stage for in game seven when he drained a turnaround jump shot at the buzzer in regulation to level the score at 109 all in front of a crowd of 16,200 at Barclays Center arena in New York.
Two-time league MVP Antetokounmpo shot 15-of-24 and had five assists in 50 minutes of playing time in the head-to-head match-up with Durant.
"I want to be great," Antetokounmpo said. "We had to give everything." Durant finished with 48 points, nine rebounds and six assists but missed two jumpers in the final minute of overtime that could have tied the score and possibly forced a second extra session.
"We got looks, we just didn't knock them down," said Durant.
The Bucks will advance to the Eastern Conference finals where they will play either the Atlanta Hawks or the Philadelphia 76ers, who face off in another game seven on Sunday.
"At the end of the day, I try not to get too high, not to get too low. But I almost got emotional a little bit out there because the team really tried their best," Antetokounmpo said.
"We kept our composure. We were down 2-0. A lot of people didn't believe we could make it." Khris Middleton tallied 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who became the first road team to win a game in the series.
Brook Lopez chipped in 19 and Jrue Holiday contributed 13 points to the win.
Antetokounmpo hit the game-tying basket and Khris Middleton delivered the game winner in overtime as the Bucks advanced to the NBA semi-finals for the second time in three seasons.
Milwaukee took the lead for good, 113-111, when Middleton converted on a 13-foot turnaround jumper with 40 seconds to go.
Durant shot 17 of 36, draining four three-pointers, while James Harden chipped in 22 points but shot a dismal five-of-17 in another frustrating playoff performance from the former league MVP. Harden was playing with a sore hamstring.
"Give them credit. They are a great team. They have a great chance to win the championship," said Durant of the Bucks.
Durant forced overtime after the Nets failed to hold onto a five-point lead in the final minutes of the fourth.
With just 1.6 seconds left, Durant hit a 24-foot turnaround jumper from the three point line.
After video review, officials ruled his foot was on the line making it a two point basket instead of a three.
"We got lucky his toe was on the line and they called it a two," Milwaukee's Khris Middleton said. "But once he hits that shot, we've got to forget about it. There's still ballgame left. That wasn't the game."
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
13 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
13 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
5 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
6 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
8 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago