NBA playoffs: Bucks steamroll Hawks in Game 2 to even Eastern Conference finals
Two days after dropping a Game 1 thriller, the Milwaukee Bucks left no doubt in Game 2.
The Bucks dismantled the Atlanta Hawks in just about every phase of the game in a 125-91 win on Friday, evening the Eastern Conference finals at 1-1.
The game opened with a 12-3 run for the Bucks and didn't get much better from there for Atlanta, who were down 32 by halftime. The Bucks scored 20 straight points at one point, and led by as much as 41 during the second half.
Giannis Antetokounmpo once again led the way for Milwaukee, posting 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes, none coming in the fourth quarter. The highlight of the night might have been him shoving Solomon Hill into the spin cycle:
GIANNIS TOO SMOOTH 😤 pic.twitter.com/TFeRXrpKmR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 26, 2021
It was a dominant night for the Bucks' starting lineup overall. Jrue Holiday posted 22 points and seven assists, while Khris Middleton had 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists and Brook Lopez had 16 points and three steals. No Bucks starter had a plus-minus worse than +30 for the night.
Trae Young's follow-up falls flat
As much as Wednesday's Game 1 win felt like the a breakout night for Trae Young, it didn't do the Hawks star much good on Friday.
Young finished with 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting with three assists and a galling nine turnovers, a significant step back from his 48-point masterpiece to open the series. Of course, he didn't have much help, as the Hawks shot 33-of-81 (9-of-36 from deep) as a team and committed 19 turnovers.
The Hawks looked like a legitimate contender in Game 1, but Friday's game should be a reminder. The Bucks were heavy betting favorites in the series for a reason and are constructed to win now. The Hawks could very well pull this series out, but it's hard to see them ever drubbing the Bucks like the Bucks did to them on Friday.
The Hawks will get a chance to reset the narrative when the series moves to Atlanta for Game 3, currently scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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