Trae Young, Hawks look to regroup at home in Game 3 against Bucks

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks’ path to the Eastern Conference finals provides reason to remain optimistic after a humbling Game 2 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks evened the series at 1-1.

The Bucks can draw confidence from their previous postseason experiences to strengthen their championship aspirations. This marks the second appearance of Milwaukee in the conference finals within a span of three years, having previously lost to Toronto in 2019. With a team packed with talent, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, it was broadly anticipated that they would vie for the title this season.

Thanks to Friday night’s resounding 125-91 win in Game 2, the Bucks take momentum into Sunday night’s Game 3 in Atlanta.

Antetokounmpo, after leading the Bucks with 25 points, said, “There’s a need for urgency, yet it’s important to appreciate that we’re in the final four teams. We’ve worked extremely hard to get here. At the end of the day, we must remember that.”

“But you know, there will obviously be some urgency now when going on the road.”

This is just the second time the Hawks have reached the conference finals in their history since being in Atlanta. In 2015, they were completely defeated by Cleveland.

Having already exceeded expectations, the Hawks, a No. 5 seed, have made significant strides this season under the interim coach Nate McMillan. After consistently finishing last in their Southeast Division and missing the playoffs for the past three years, they have finally learned how to secure victories.

In each playoff round, Atlanta has been considered the underdog. This was seen in the first round against the New York Knicks and the conference semifinals against the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. The Hawks managed to secure a victory in the series opener on the road in each of these matchups, only to lose in the second game. The same pattern has occurred in their matches against Milwaukee.

The shocking Game 2 defeat of the Hawks underscored the fact that they are initiating three players – Trae Young, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter – into their first postseason.

The Bucks led by 41 points and never fell behind.

The young Hawks have demonstrated their ability to secure victories in tight playoff games. They have a flawless 4-0 record in games decided by a maximum of three points, and a strong 6-1 record when the difference is no more than seven points. The next challenge for them is to show their resilience.

“Collins stated, “We must enhance our competitive spirit and intensity. This is a necessary part of our growth into seasoned players capable of handling a championship run, especially as this is our first. While not to offer any excuse, these are the challenges that arise. It’s our responsibility to improve and adapt.”

Trae’s swag

Young faces a challenge to regain the confidence he showed when he racked up 48 points in Atlanta’s 116-113 victory in Game 1 on Wednesday night. His performance in Game 2 started on a high note with a steal and a long-range shot that reduced Milwaukee’s lead to 15-12. He marked this moment with a shoulder shake – a move he first introduced in the first game.

Young had a challenging night with only one rare highlight. He scored a mere 15 points and equaled his career record with nine turnovers. He took full responsibility for the defeat.

“Young stated, “Sometimes, nights like this just happen. It’s unfortunate that it happened tonight, but we need to be resilient and bounce back.”

Ruling the paint

The 3-point shot is a significant element of Milwaukee’s offensive strategy, yet they have demonstrated their proficiency when charging towards the basket. The Bucks are likely to attempt to replicate this successful approach on Sunday night.

Under Antetokounmpo’s leadership, the Bucks dominated the Hawks with a score of 62-30 in the paint. This set up the two-time MVP to sink 11 out of 18 shots from the field and contribute a game-high nine rebounds. Even though he missed all his three 3-point attempts, his performance was still overpowering.

“Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer believed that he established the atmosphere early on,” he said. “There were a few drives and finishes that were exactly what we expect from Giannis.”

Free and clear

McMillan will be keeping a close eye on officials to ensure that they persist in tracking Antetokounmpo’s free-throw line time, following the NBA’s declaration that late in Game 1, 10-second violations should have been called. In Game 2, Antetokounmpo succeeded in three out of four free throws, and he firmly stated that he didn’t do anything to reduce his routine at the line.

“He said, “My approach to this game was to stick to my routine, maximize my dribbles, catch my breath, and simply take my shot.”

Reddish returns

The return of Cam Reddish from an Achilles injury, scoring 11 points in 17 minutes in his first appearance since Feb. 21, was perhaps the most encouraging sign for the Hawks in the series.

“Young said, “Honestly, that was the only positive thing tonight.”

Atlanta gains more perimeter depth with Reddish as Bogdan Bogdanovic faces limitations due to right knee soreness.

“Getting back out there felt good,” said Reddish. “Of course, things were a bit strange initially, but as the game progressed, my performance improved and I grew more comfortable. I’m eager to move onto the next match.”