Bucks at Nets: Game 5 - Eastern Conference Semifinals

Bucks: 108 Nets: 114

The Brooklyn Nets have won game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, by a score of 114-108. Let me start off by saying this was the greatest basketball game I've ever witnessed! So let's dig deep into the before, during and after of this playoff basketball classic:

Before: Last night, star point guard James Harden, was ruled out for this one. Earlier today, he was upgraded from doubtful to questionable. Harden tested out his hamstring during shoot around warmups, which I witnessed, where he looked good enough to give it a go tonight. Nets head coach Steve Nash said about 45 minutes prior to tip, that it would be Harden's decision to give it a go. Harden proceeded to be in the starting five and log 46 minutes looking noticeably not 100%.

The Game: Brooklyn looked lost in the first half, except for two players: Kevin Durant had almost a double already and Jeff Green who was in double figures. The Nets went into halftime down by 16. This would be the biggest 24 minutes in recent memory for Brooklyn. The second half was arguably the greatest half of Kevin Durant's career. In the second half alone, Durant had 31 points including a shot clock running down fade away three that only a select few can knock down. Kevin finished the game with a chance for 50 points but missed a free throw. The 49 was enough though, as in my opinion cemented his legacy as a player who doesn't need others to carry the load.

With star guard James Harden, at less than 50 percent, and not much help from others besides Jeff Green, Blake Griffin and Landry Shamet. Durant showed that he is ready for the moment and made thousands of Nets fans smile ear to ear tonight. Not to mention, Durant had a triple double which included 17 rebounds and 10 assists while playing ALL 48 minutes tonight looking noticeably tired down the stretch. No one was on Durant's level tonight but Jeff Green was key scoring 27 points while Blake Griffin had 17. For Milwaukee Giannis Antetokounmpo, he contributed 34 points and 12 rebounds while Khris Middleton had 25 points as well. Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton all finished in double figures. Milwaukee choked this one and now will face elimination for the first time all season on their home court. Props to Kevin Durant for putting on a show for 16,067 at the Barclays Center. I haven't seen anything like that in my LIFE!

Whats Next: Well, the series shifts back to Milwaukee with the Nets having a 3-2 lead and looking to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The game will be played this Thursday at 8:30 PM at the Fiserv Forum. For Brooklyn, Kyrie Irving should be out unless he pulls a Harden tonight and is active out of nowhere. If Milwaukee wins this one, Irving MIGHT have suited up considering it would have been an elimination game on the road. Tomorrow will be a key rest day for James Harden, as he should be good to go Thursday barring any setbacks. If the Bucks win game 6, then the series would shift back to Brooklyn for game 7 on Saturday. It will be televised on ESPN.