Who is excited for two game 7's in the Eastern Conference?! Are you not entertained?!
The Bucks will take on the Nets tonight in a pivotal game 7. The winner of this matchup will take on the game 7 winner of the 76ers vs Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Bucks vs Nets
The Bucks will take on the Nets in a star studded game 7 in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals. The Nets took an early series lead of 2 games to none over the Bucks. After a very close game in game 3, the Bucks were able to take advantage of a Kyrie Irving injury to tie the series up at 2. Then came game 5. Like many other playoff games this postseason. The Bucks blew a major lead to an offensively struggling Nets. Well, except Kevin Durant that is. Game 6 was all Bucks in this one, they were able to jump out the gates with a lead and never looked back. The Nets continued to inch closer and closer but another Bucks run would extend the lead. With 3-4 minutes left in game 6, Steve Nash took out the Nets starters and said we'll see you in game 7.
Expect game 7 to be a defensive dog fight, tension will rise and players will get heated. That's playoff basketball and these Bucks and Nets have seen their fair share of anger this series.
If the Nets want to win, they really need James Harden to have a wider range of capability this game, battling the hamstring injury. The former MVP has been mainly restricted to step back three pointers and passing the ball. Other than that, the former MVP has had a hard time facilitating in other ways. Now, if the Bucks want to win. They need Middleton. Not to score 25 points, not to grab 6 rebounds, the Bucks need more out of him. The Bucks know what they're getting out of Giannis. Middleton has been a huge factor in the Bucks wins in this series. If he can come out and score without too much struggle, the Bucks will win.
3 Keys to a Bucks win:
1) Hold Durant to under 40
2) Force Harden to be uncomfortable (Hamstring)
3) Don't let role players like Blake Griffin or Mike James have big games
3 Keys to a Nets win:
1) Contain Middleton
2) Don't let Jrue Holiday facilitate
3) Lock up Defense
Prediction: Bucks win... 105-101
Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks
This series has been unlike no other. If it wasn't for blown leads... Philadelphia would be up 5-1 in the series, yup 5-1, series over, Eastern Conference Finals. Since there were blown leads, the 76ers are taking on the Hawks in game 7. This game will be played in Philadelphia and if you know anything about the 76ers, they rarely lose at home. Well, not entirely true, but yes, their record at home was one of the best in the league this year and the best over the past three seasons. The Hawks have taken two games from Philly at home this series, so the 76ers will need the fans out in full force for this game. Ben Simmons, where you at? Simmons has been there on defense all series but the 76ers can't afford for him to not show up offensively in game 7. When Simmons scores, Philly blows out teams. In my opinion though... he is not the deciding factor for this final game. It is Tobias Harris. Harris in game 6 put up 25 points and closed the game with clutch shots and free throws. Also, his defense in the game was extremely underrated. If the Sixers want to win, Philly needs Harris to show up. Now, if the Hawks want to win, they need to shoot. Bogdan Bogdanovic left game 6 and never returned with knee soreness and will likely be questionable for game 7. If he is not on the court, that takes about 15-20 points per game away from the Hawks that they will very much need in this game.
3 Keys to a 76ers win:
1) Don't blow a lead
2) Feed into the Philly Crowd
3) Minimize Hack-a-Simmons
3 Keys to a Hawks win:
1) Don't let Harris have an impact on the game
2) Bogdanovic Health Status
3) Better defense on Curry
76ers win..... 110-99