The Brooklyn Nets had a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, but quickly found themselves in a colossal hole in the first quarter.
The Bucks held the Nets to 4-for-23 shooting to the start the game as they held on to a 30-11 lead heading into the second quarter. However, Brooklyn bounced right back.
The Nets outscored the Bucks 31-15 in the second period thanks to an inspired run by Bruce Brown (11 PTS) on the offensive end. Coach Steve Nash and his squad found themselves down only three at the half because of it.
Before the game resumed for the third quarter, the question was whether Kevin Durant could get himself out of his shooting slump? He was 2-for-10 from the field with seven points after the first two periods, and Milwaukee was making him work for every bucket.
On cue, Kevin Durant woke up in the second half to score 23 points. The Nets were also able to capture their first lead of the game in the third quarter after trailing by as many as 21 points. In the end, it took big games from Khris Middleton (35 PTS, 15 REBS, 12-25 FG) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (33 PTS, 14 REBS) to keep the Nets at bay.
GREATNESS. pic.twitter.com/yvjFP4hdsu
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 11, 2021
Durant had a chance to tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter – and Giannis later said that it “looked good” – but the shot missed and the Bucks held on for a series-changing win.