NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 19: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after winning basket as teammate Pat Connaughton #24 joins during the final minutes of overtime during game seven of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center on June 19, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111 in overtime to win the series. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NBA Twitter reacted to the Milwaukee Bucks outlasting the Brooklyn Nets in overtime to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday.
Every NBA fan knew that Saturday’s contest between the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks had the makings of a great matchup. After all, it was Game 7 with a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line. Little did we all now that it would be one of the best games of the season and in playoff history.
In the end, it was the Bucks who were the victors, as they withstood an epic performance and a game-tying shot at the end of regulation by Nets star Kevin Durant to win 115-111 in overtime. NBA Twitter acted accordingly after watching what was one of the best playoff games in recent memory.
Bucks outlast the Nets in overtime to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday
The Bucks had the chance to close things out at the end of the fourth quarter, as they held a 109-105 lead with over a minute remaining in regulation. However, they allowed two jump shots to Durant, the latter of which came with 1.6 seconds left on the clock to tie things up at 109 points apiece and to send the game to overtime.
Brooklyn would score the first points of overtime on a layup by Bruce Brown, but that was all they could muster. Durant had six shot attempts but failed to convert on any of them as fatigue kicked in. One of those missed opportunities came on what appeared to be an easy driving layup, but Bucks center Brook Lopez rejected it with a one-handed block.
Milwaukee secured the victory with a 14-foot jump shot by forward Khris Middleton to advance to their second Eastern Conference Finals appearance in three years.
Durant led the way for the Nets, as he scored 48 points (17-of-36 shooting from the field, 4-for-11 from 3-point range) in 53 minutes, which is the most points scored by a player in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 40 points (15-for-24 from the field, 8-for-14 from the free-throw line), 13 points and 5 assists in 50 minutes of playing time.
The Bucks now await the winner of Game 7 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.