The defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks were on the verge of defeat and a 3-2 series deficit against the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Instead, the Bucks have a 3-2 series lead.
Trailing by six points with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter, the Bucks won 110-107, clinching the win on two free throws made by Pat Connaughton with 5.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Bobby Portis’ offensive rebound and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s missed free throw dropback with 11.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave Milwaukee a 108-107 lead. It was Milwaukee’s first lead since the second quarter.
Bucks guard Jrue Holiday masterminded the game’s defensive plays, blocking a Marcus Smart shot with 6.6 seconds remaining and stealing the ball from Smart with a second remaining, before Boston could attempt a potential game-tying shot. .
Game 6 is Friday on ESPN. The Bucks can close out the series and advance to the conference finals for the second straight season.
Here are three key takeaways from Game 5:
Giannis finds a way
The offense isn’t easy for Antetokounmpo against Boston. He is shooting well below his season averages from the field, on 3-pointers and on free throws against the Celtics. But he still has an impact with scoring and rebounding from him.
He had a game-high 40 points in one of his most efficient offensive games of the series: 16-of-27 from the field, 2-of-5 from 3-point range and 6-of-10 from free throws. He also had 11 rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal.
In the fourth quarter, he scored eight points.
Get help without Middleton
Khris Middleton’s absence due to a sprained left knee was notable before the series began and dazzling for five games. He is a 20-point-per-game scorer who can make 3-pointers and mid-range shots, as well as rebound, pass and defense. It is a significant loss.
There are times when the Bucks’ offense falters, and Boston’s defense has something to do with it, too.
But Antetokounmpo had plenty of offensive help even though he and Jrue Holiday (24 points) were the only starters in double figures.
Portis finished with 14 points, including six in the fourth quarter, and grabbed 15 rebounds, including that game-winning offensive rebound. Connaughton scored eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Holiday also struggled at times offensively, but continues to play hard. His eight rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and one steal were necessary.
Brown, Tatum lead C’s offense
Jaylen Brown scored 16 of his 26 points in the third quarter, keeping some distance between the Celtics and Bucks. Brown also had eight rebounds, six assists and one block.
Tatum had one shot offside (12-for-29 from the field and 2-for-11 from 3-point range) but still had 34 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. He had six rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.
Interestingly, Tatum and Brown were the only Celtics to make it to the free throw line, attempting all 15 of Boston’s free throws.
The Celtics shot 51.2% from the field, but lost. Milwaukee shot just 43.5% from the field but 44.8% from 3-point range, and the Bucks outscored the Celtics 20-13 in second-chance points and 16-13 in points off turnovers.
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.
Reference-www.usatoday.com