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Jamal Collier, ESPN
MILWAUKEE — As the final seconds ticked by the clock of an emphasis 115-92 Milwaukee Bucks won Game 5 to avoid elimination, Malik Beasley Raise your hands in the air and welcome love from the crowd. Patrick Beverley shouted along with the fans in the front row near the Bucks bench. Khris Middleton even noted the cheers as he walked the floor to leave the game.
A sell-out crowd, encouraged by the unlikely performance they had witnessed, chanted “Buck in Seven”.
The Bucks won Tuesday night with both of their leading scorers, Giannis Antetokounmpo And Damian Lillardwere left out of the lineup, making them the first team in NBA history to win a playoff game while missing their top two regular-season scorers.
Middleton et Bobby Portis led all scorers with 29 points each and, along with Beverley, became the first trio in Bucks history to all record a double-double since 1981, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
“We have to find a way to win, no matter the cost,” Middleton said. “We’re still confident. Tonight we had our backs against the wall, we had a huge home crowd that kept us going. So we’ll have to find a way. That’s the only way to resolve, find a way to get this next one and force a Game 7.”
The Pacers still lead the series 3-2. Game 6 is Thursday night in Indianapolis.
By extending the series, the Bucks gave Antetokounmpo and Lillard a chance to play in the next game. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said both players were scheduled to practice on the field during their day off Wednesday.
“I think they are very, very, very close,” Rivers said.
Lillard, who has missed the past two games with an Achilles injury, took off the walking shoe he was wearing over the weekend. He took some shots on the field before Tuesday’s game, but Wednesday will be his first full practice since he re-injured himself in Game 4, an issue that he had surgery during the final weeks of the season.
According to Rivers, Antetokounmpo didn’t do much on the field Tuesday. But on Sunday, he ran onto the field for the first time since straining his left calf three weeks ago. He has not played since April 9.
Rivers’ message to his players was simple: Focus on winning a home game, Game 5, and bringing the series back to Indiana. And he knows from what he called a “very lively” pre-game film session that his players haven’t given up on returning to the series.
“You can feel the energy in the film and in our introduction,” Rivers said. “We’re going to come play and win tonight. You can feel it in the preparation, it’s not a team that comes through the group stage and thinks that’s it. It’s a team that’s think they can win.”
The day also began with Portis addressing the team and apologizing for being ejected in the first quarter of Game 4 after an altercation with Andrew Nembhardmaking the task of winning even more difficult for a short-handed team.
“I am an emotional player, I wear my heart on my sleeve, I give it my all every night and am proud to be part of my team,” Portis said on Tuesday night. ” Game 4, a bit of a scuffle, might have crossed the line. I let my team down by getting eliminated and not being available for my team. I definitely owe them an apology.”
His Bucks teammates accepted his apology and Middleton reiterated that they want Portis to play with the same fire, as long as he harnesses it. Just like he did Tuesday night, firing up the Milwaukee crowd and joining his teammates in celebration.
“We’re losing 3-1, we’re playing at home, we’re down a few players, it doesn’t matter,” Portis said. “The most important thing is to go out there and play in a cool, fun style, enjoy the game but still stick to the game plan. We enjoyed the game tonight.”
