After going down 3-0 in the series to the Chicago Bulls, the Milwaukee Bucks have fought back to put big-time pressure on their bovine friends. With a 94-88 road victory in the United Center on Monday night, the Bucks took their second straight, and are that much closer to pulling off the improbable comeback. Michael Carter-Williams and Khris Middleton led the way for Milwaukee and the Bucks were unusually hot from 3-point range (37.5 percent) to get a bit of a flow on offense.
The Bulls got something from Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah, but everybody else seemed to struggle. They got nothing from Mike Dunleavy. Tony Snell and Nikola Mirotic were awful for Chicago. And now the team has to rally just to avoid a Game 7 back on their home floor.
Here are the three things to take away from Game 5.
1. CARTER-WILLIAMS WAS THE BEST PG IN THIS GAME, SERIOUSLY
Remember last season when Carter-Williams was big time for the Philadelphia 76ers? He was the Rookie of the Year, but he was a guy who scored somewhat reliably despite not having a jumper, and he stuffed the stat sheet because he could get assists, rebounds and steals at an impressive rate because of the Sixers' breakneck pace. He had a rough second season with Philly and while he had moments after being dealt to the Bucks at the trade deadline, the Bucks' offense was the league's fifth worst after the trade.
He hadn't done much in this series, and mostly was outplayed by Derrick Rose. Game 5 was a lot different and happening on the Bulls' home floor in an elimination game makes it even more impressive. He scored 22 points while making 10 of 15 shots to go with nine assists, three blocks, and eight rebounds. MCW still didn't show a jumper, but he scored all 10 baskets in the paint. He showed the potential people imagine when thinking how Jason Kidd's point-guard expertise can shape Carter-Williams' future.
2. THIS WAS NOT THE ROSE THE BULLS WANTED
For four games it looked like the Rose of old, or someone close to the Rose of old. Rose was averaging 21 points, 7.5 assists, and shooting in the mid-40s overall and from 3-point range. That was not the Rose we saw in Game 5 as he just couldn't connect from really anywhere and looked like a rusty point guard trying to work his way back. The Bucks are a really good defense, so shutting down Rose isn't really a huge surprise.
However, he's got to be better than the 13 points on 5-of-20 shooting overall (0 of 7 from 3-point range). MCW disrupted Rose all night and he was swarmed whenever he entered the paint. The bad shooting was one thing but getting cooked by MCW and dishing out only two assists to six turnovers wasn't the way to close out the Bucks.
3. THIS IS WHAT THE BUCKS NEEDED ON THE ROAD, WIN UGLY
For the Bucks to win, they have to make them ugly affairs. They have to use their length, defensive intensity and athleticism to clog up every driving lane, passing lane and post-up by the Bulls. No team has ever come back from being down 3-0 in a seven-game series to win the series, and the Bucks are 50 percent of the way to pulling it off. They pull it off by playing the way they did on the road tonight.
They forced the Bulls into shooting 34.4 percent overall, 18.2 percent from 3-point range. The Bulls did a good job of getting to the free-throw line, but you make them earn their points at the stripe and not by dominating the paint. Chicago scored only 36 points in the paint and couldn't keep up with Milwaukee's transition game. Long rebounds and turnovers became quick strikes for the Bucks, and now the Bulls have to wonder if the Deer need to be feared.
Game 6 is in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Can the Bulls finally close out the Bucks?
SERIES SCHEDULE
Game 1 – Sat April 18
Chicago 103, Milwaukee 91
Game 2 - Mon April 20
Chicago 91, Milwaukee 82
Game 3 – Thu April 23
Chicago 113, Milwaukee 106 (2OT)
Game 4 – Sat April 25
Milwaukee 92, Chicago 90
Game 5 - Mon April 27
Milwaukee 94, Chicago 88 - Chicago leads series 3-2
Game 6 - Thu April 30
Chicago at Milwaukee
Game 7 * Sat May 2
Milwaukee at Chicago, TBD
