The Eastern Conference playoffs have gotten interesting as underdog teams continue to push top seeds. The Atlanta Hawks are learning that with the Brooklyn Nets while the Chicago Bulls are being humbled by the Milwaukee Bucks. It appeared the Bulls were prepared to sweep the Bucks when they went up 3-0 on the team, but Milwaukee battled back and now are trying to force a Game 7 by getting a win at home with the series at 3-2.
There has never been a team in NBA history that has lost a playoff series after winning the first three games. That should comfort the Bulls, but playing Game 6 on the road is certainly not ideal for the team after letting two games slip away from them. The Bulls fell victim to last-minute shots as Game 4 was won a buzzer-beating layup while Game 5 saw them fall 94-88. The Bucks seem to have the momentum and getting the game at home could certainly push this series in their favor.
The Bulls' offense struggled in the past two games. Derrick Rose certainly did not look like himself, struggling with loose balls and not beating defenders to the rim. They failed at getting any kind of uptempo offense going and shot poorly at just 40.5 percent. Rose is turning the ball over more than the points he is producing while going 2 for 11 from long range. If the Bulls are going to get a series with the Cleveland Cavaliers who are now playing without Kevin Love, everyone must step up.
Rose is not the only concern for Chicago. The team's frontcourt is struggling with the unexpected stars of the Bucks. Milwaukee is outrebounding Chicago 48-45 while Khris Middleton and Jerryd Bayless are proving to be nightmare defenders. Michael Carter-Williams is also upping his stock. The point guard had 22 points and nine assists in Game 5. Carter-Williams did suffer an ankle injury during the game, but was able to continue playing. He told the media he will be good for Game 6.
Milwaukee is reading the press that has everyone predicting the next round be against Cleveland and Chicago. They are using that as motivation as Jared Dudley told the media via ESPN that the Bucks were still alive in the race with every intention of winning.
