During his years with the Rockets, P.J. Tucker was never able to get past Kevin Durant‘s Warriors teams in the playoffs, writes Brian Windhorst of ESPN. The Bucks acquired Tucker at the trade deadline to match up with elite scorers like Durant, and he finally prevailed over his long-time rival in Milwaukee’s Game 7 victory Saturday night.
The Bucks used several players on Durant during the series, but the primary job belonged to Tucker, his friend and fellow Texas alum. Durant had another incredible performance Saturday with 48 points in 53 minutes, but he air-balled a shot at the end that could have sent the game to a second overtime.
“It’s painful. I’m hurting. That was a battle every single night,” Tucker said. “To be able to finally get over the hump is pretty nice.”
There’s more on the Bucks:
- Brook Lopez was determined to make up for a mental error he committed late in the fourth quarter, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Lopez lost track of the shot clock with 8.1 seconds remaining, resulting in a turnover that gave the Nets a chance to tie the game. He responded by blocking a layup attempt by Durant with a minute left in overtime. “After that (shot clock violation) happened, I just took it upon myself,” Lopez said. “I told my teammates, ‘I made a mistake, but let’s go get this.’ I’m gonna fix this, we’re gonna fix this and so it happened, but it was great to see how resilient we were.”
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is making his second trip to the conference finals, wants to make sure his teammates stay focused on the challenge ahead. After Saturday’s win, he wrote an 8 in the locker room, which is how many more wins the Bucks need to capture a championship, per Marc Berman of The New York Post. “It’s a great feeling,’’ Antetokounmpo said. “I try not to get too high or low. I got emotional a little bit out there. The team really tried their best. Just being able to come to New York and were 0 for 5 here and in Game 7 and everyone’s anxious and nervous and able to execute and trust each other. It was big time. I’m really happy for this team. We’re halfway through. I want everyone to cherish this moment.’’
- Bucks assistants Darvin Ham and Charles Lee have been rumored for head coaching opportunities around the league, and Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer believes they’re ready, tweets Malika Andrews of ESPN. “They’re incredible coaches,” he said.
The Bucks won the series and they’re very fortunate to advance. They better win a championship this year because next season, the Brooklyn Nets will eviscerate everyone in their way
Only thing nets are eviscerating are their own hamstrings and ankles
Enjoy the offseason which starts now for the failure Nets.
Milwaukee managed to save their coach’s job, but they were better in each of the last two seasons and still failed to win a championship both times.
At least PJ Tucker finally beat KD in the postseason, that’s something.
Just like Houston??? In 2018 G7, shot 4/40 from 3’s but let’s blame CP3? LMAO what a joke.
No, Wally, the Bucks are better with Jrue Holiday, who was new this year. So the Bucks are better than ever.
Though they’re probably losing Portis this offseason.
Well no sh*t! They don’t use him.
It’s always a case of kyrie gets hurt in the biggest moments.. cavs finals, celtics ecf run and now nets. Maybe harden will be in shape this time around.. less strip clubs and more training..
It’s always a case of AD gets hurt in the biggest moments.
Maybe AD will be in shape this time around. Less Michelob Ultra and video games and more training.
Players injury prone have a tendency to repeat their past and they will lose a lot of depth players next year but will def reman top team barring major injuries
Remember…older rosters are more prone to injury. They got beat not only because of missing Irving, but because Nash gassed his older players by playing no subs. Durant was super human.
All basketball fans got to see a game for the ages last night. That was a battle all the way. The effort on both sides was incredible. Too bad they all couldn’t be like that, but man I bet they were drained after that game. Durant is really an incredible player. That Griffen guy is pretty good too! It took everything the Bucks had to win that game. Just wow.
Agreed. That was such an entertaining game that I was so into it. I didn’t care for either team but it was so much fun to watch as a fan. Still surreal it’s the first G7 to go into OT since 2006 Spurs/Mavericks. Best game of the year in my opinion.
Agreed. I was really impressed with the Bucks resilience. I didn’t think they’d win a close game 7 w/ Durant on the floor.
Bron and KD will never come close to MJ!
Are you pretty young? 14? Don’t start that crap now. Maybe for the offseason.
It is the offseason.., for LeBron and KD.
Buuurn
Bucks are soft and their coach SuXX. Who is dumb enough to hire one of his assistants. Laughable. Bucks did nothing to win this series. Playing Lopez on Griffin is dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in NBA. Giannis should have been playing center with Griffin on floor. Bucks just played into their hand. Idiotic at best. Giannis can post anyone on the Nets roster. And they never ran it. He never called for ball and he never made them pay on blocks. Bucks are a flawed team. They don’t deserve to win. Lucked out against Nets. This series with the injuries. Should not have gone more than 5. Bucks are SOFT they see the Headlights
What time is your coaching interview scheduled for?
Steve Nash is an idiot. No way you don’t send Jordan to pound on Giannas as soon as you are over the limit. Mike James looked good against the wiz too. James should have played with Harden and allow Harden to catch an shoot. On the other side How do you not play Portis.
Totally agree that no Bucks coach should be qualified for any NBA HC position. Coach Bud is a travesty. Giannis deserves better.
Knickerbocker, lol. Wow, angry much buddy? I like how you have all these comments about how the Bucks are soft/can’t win/bucks played into the Nets hand and it’s idiotic.
Shall I send a box of Kleenex to you? Perhaps a box of tampons for your vagina? Dude, your just butt hurt. It’s a shame the Nets didn’t get any more BS calls like they did all series long. ENJOY WATCHING THE BUCKS CONTINUE TO PLAY BUDDY
Al old ball coach, nobody plays on the blocks anymore, especially a guy who needs to take a lot of shots. The ball will never be entered often enough. GA was exhausted already without having to cover Durant. GA is GA. Remember you only care about the Knicks.
Sports Center breaking news: Momma Durant is unhappy and pushing for KD return to GSW!
I think the Nets helped Giannis with his free throws – the counting introduced him to the concept of rhythm – he sank ’em.
Indeed, all 12 seconds of those counts.
More than a few across twittersphere sending their timer snapshots ……. most of Giannis’ FT attempts were clearly above 10 seconds.
Refs should call it consistently, or just scrap the rule altogether.
The refs take too long getting the ball to him to shoot… to everyone really… they remind me of my grade school teachers, getting everyone to settle down. And then the GA delay. The crowd was a bit fast, but agree with jbl.
“We just aren’t good enough”
-James Harden
To say PJ Tucker “prevailed” over Durant is a bit of an overstatement. Durant pretty much had his way all series. It was his team mates that lost the series.