Game 5 between the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks was a sight to behold. Kevin Durant put on one of, if not, his best performance of his career. He finished the night with a triple-double, consisting of 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. Durant was completely unstoppable and looks to do the same on Thursday night.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have different plans in mind, as a win in Game 6 forces a seventh game. They have a real opportunity to stay alive with Kyrie Irving already ruled out for the matchup. The Bucks also have the homecourt advantage in this one, which could prove to be the difference-maker in Game 6.
This series has been incredibly entertaining going back and forth between two giants in the Eastern Conference. We could be in store for the best game yet with everything riding on the line in this one. Look for Durant, Antetokounmpo, and Middleton to each have big games on Thursday night. This matchup could come down to who has the ball in the final seconds, but the best team will prevail. With that said, here are three bold predictions for the Nets-Bucks Game 6 matchup.
Kevin Durant records a second triple-double
Kevin Durant was on a tear in Game 5 and could carry that momentum into the next game. He was a man possessed and there was nothing the Bucks could do to slow him down. He'll still need help from his supporting cast, but with Irving out of the lineup, Durant may put the team on his shoulders again.
James Harden will be in the rotation, but based on his last performance, it's unclear whether or not he'll be a contributing factor for Brooklyn in Game 6. That is probably the reason why Durant took off in Game 5, and why we could see him produce a second consecutive triple-double in the NBA Playoffs.
Giannis and Middleton combine for 80+ points
We've seen these two light it up from the field before, and with a postseason exit looming around the corner, we should see Antetokounmpo and Middleton perform at their best. They typically do most of the scoring for Milwaukee anyway, but they could be playing at an even higher level on Thursday night.
They'll have to if they hope to keep up with Kevin Durant. It's time for this Bucks team to get physical and take it to the Nets. With Giannis dominating the paint and Middleton the perimeter, the Bucks have the perfect 1-2 punch to balance out Kevin Durant's balanced attack.
The Nets close out the series
At the end of the day, the better team will come out on top. For that reason, the Nets should be able to close out the series on Thursday night and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. With a big game from Kevin Durant, Brooklyn should be able to put the Bucks away while on the road.
If James Harden can get back to his normal self, then the Nets become unstoppable once again. He's a superstar in the NBA, but right now he's the X-Factor heading into this game. Will Harden contribute and help Durant? Or will he play more like a rotational player for the second game in a row? Look for Harden to get going early, as his game will heavily influence the contest.
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