Tragedy in Brooklyn

By: Chris Jordan

The Brooklyn Nets went from being the favorites to win this series to being undermanned since the injuries to their superstars Kyrie Irving and James Harden.

Kyrie Irving went down in the second quarter with a sprained ankle and he did not return. The Nets lost 107-96 and the series is now tied 2-2. The Bucks looked like a team that had no chance of winning this series to know being the team that has the momentum going into game 5.

Going into game 5 how will the Nets respond and how will they adjust?

Kevin Durant may have to play Game 5 without Irving and Harden. Kevin Durant has to be the best player on the planet for his team to win this series if they want to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The start of the series was how would Giannis Antetokounmpo be viewed because he’s a two-time league MVP and a defensive player of the year.

For the past two seasons, the Bucks have come short reaching the NBA Finals. In 2019, the Raptors beat the Bucks in six games. In 2020, the Miami Heat beat the Bucks in five games, and Giannis was outplayed by Jimmy Bulter and Bam Adebayo.

Without the Nets big three Giannis has an opportunity to get back to the conference finals and be one step closer to getting to his first NBA Finals.

If Giannis and the Bucks lose this series this will make him look bad for his legacy because a Nets team that was not healthy beat in without their second and third best player.

The ex-factor has been PJ Tucker. Tucker has been giving Kevin Durant some problems in games three and four.

Durant did have 28 points, but he did take 25 attempts while shooting 1 of 8 from three-point range. Durant is someone who’s always efficient. Tucker has been physical and not letting Durant get too comfortable.

Durant has to be more aggressive and match Tucker’s physicality because if he doesn’t the Nets play lose this series in six games.

Steve Nash on P.J. Tucker’s defense: ” He’s playing extremely physical and made it difficult. That’s his role on their team. I thought it was borderline non-basketball physical at times, but that’s the playoffs. You have to adapt and adjust.”

What adjustments will Steve Nash make going to game 5?

With this being Steve Nash’s first time coaching in the playoffs will he make the right adjustments for the Nets because their backs are against the wall.

Will lack of experience and coaching play an effect in game 5?

Despite, the Nets having Durant going into game 5. Durant is going to need some need for his supporting cast from players such as Blake Griffin, Joe Harris, Jeff Green, and others players to step their game up.

The likelihood of Harden and Irving playing in game 5 is not good because Irving has a sprained ankle and Harden is still battling hamstring tightness.

They will need to have a great team performance if they want any shot at winning this game or series.

The Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer’s message to the team should be to take them out because they’re undermanned and we have to take advantage of the opportunity.

All the pressure is on the Bucks right now because it’s their series to lose now. You have to take advantage of the moment because it’s a great opportunity for the Bucks team and franchise.

Will the Bucks take advantage of the opportunity or will they drop the ball once again?

Will the Nets come out of this series without Kyrie and Harden or will it too much to overcome?

The Nets and Bucks will play game five on Tuesday night from Brooklyn.