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Jun 10, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) holds onto the ball while guarded by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), forward P.J. Tucker (17), center Brook Lopez (11) and forward Khris Middleton (22) in the third quarter during game three in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 10, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) holds onto the ball while guarded by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), forward P.J. Tucker (17), center Brook Lopez (11) and forward Khris Middleton (22) in the third quarter during game three in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Injuries can be such an anticlimax for the best of teams in the league. The Brooklyn Nets are facing a similar dilemma at the moment with two of the Big 3 benched due to injuries. Nonetheless, Kevin Durant is up for the task in Game 5 to break the 2-2 tie with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Game 3 and 4 were quite a comeback for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. They completely nullified Brooklyn’s lead and called it even. Coach Mike Budenholzer made a shift to his team’s defensive game, and that helped restrict the Nets’ bigwigs in both the matches.
For the Nets, James Harden’s absence didn’t hurt as much in the first two games but from thereon, it became a concern for Steve Nash. To add to their misery, Kyrie Irving fell out of Game 4 with a right ankle injury. So the three-headed Nets have eventually come down to one man leading them – Kevin Durant.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jun 13, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) grabs his leg after being injured during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks during game four in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Durant is prepared to take on the Bucks
Brooklyn fans felt glum after their second man Irving went down. Even though Durant is playing phenomenal basketball this postseason, many believe these could be testing times for him. However, the star forward doesn’t seem to be as concerned as his fans are.
In a recent Zoom meeting with the reporters, Durant talked about Game 5 without his companions and said, “I picture me doing everything out there just like I do every night. Some more than others, I might have to handle the ball more, might have to post up more, just gotta be prepared to do everything out there, just like any night.”
READ MORE: NBA Analyst Defends KD After Game 4 Disappointment Against Bucks
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 7, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forwards Kevin Durant (7) and Blake Griffin (2) and Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) try to grab a loose ball in the first quarter during game two in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Game 5 is on Durant’s shoulders
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The Brooklyn Nets are under the rock but still have the fight to play good basketball in the upcoming matchup. The Bucks are hot after coming from two consecutive victories, and they will be playing to their strengths. So Kevin Durant needs to make big moves to hold an advantage in Game 5. He has been averaging a massive 31.3 points per game in these playoffs and this needs to be his big night.
Irving and James on the sidelines will surely be a disappointing view for the Brooklyn Nets fans, but can Durant turn this around?
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