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The Atlanta Hawks sought a response after losing Game 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals but could not. The Bucks, who won the game 113-102, are now 2-1 ahead in the series.
The Atlanta Hawks had a bright start and led with as many as 15 points but failed to hold on to their lead. The Milwaukee Bucks erased the deficit and led for the first time in the third quarter as Khris Middleton started to heat up.
Trae Young had another sensational night as he caught fire and helped the Atlanta Hawks maintain an early lead. There was a big improvement in his game as he shot well from the 3-point line. Young found himself wide open on several occasions and treated the fans to a shimmy and a deep three from the logo.
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Despite Young's heroics, the Milwaukee Bucks stayed focused throughout the game. In a fourth-quarter collapse, the Atlanta Hawks managed to put only 17 points on the scoreboard compared to the Bucks' 30.
Buoyed with their victory in Game 3, the Bucks will now hope for a second road win on Tuesday night.
On that note, here are five reasons why the Atlanta Hawks lost against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 of the 2021 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
#1 Khris Middleton had his best road game for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA playoffs
Khris Middleton has been sensational for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA playoffs but has only been impressive in home games. He has struggled on the road all season long, but that was not the case at the State Farm Arena against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Milwaukee Bucks trailed throughout the first half, with Middleton shooting five of nine from the field. But he was a different player in the second half, as he shot five of eight from downtown and ended the game with an overall 15 of 26 from the field.
Middleton was undoubtedly the best player for the Milwaukee Bucks, as the Atlanta Hawks had no answers to all the questions he asked of their defense. His tally for the night stood at 38 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
#2 The Atlanta Hawks failed to protect the paint
It was another battle inside the Atlanta Hawks' paint, one in which the Milwaukee Bucks came out on top. Clint Capela has failed to protect the rim effectively and has been dominated by Giannis Antetokounmpo throughout the series.
The Milwaukee Bucks put up 56 of their 113 points past the Atlanta Hawks in the paint. Although that was an improvement compared to the 70 and 62 they scored in Games 1 and 2, the Hawks still need to limit the Bucks' scoring in the paint.
John Collins got into early foul trouble and was not of much help to the Atlanta Hawks' defense. Rim protection was left to the less athletic Danilo Gallinari and Capela, which was exploited by the Bucks.
#3 The Atlanta Hawks got dominated on the glass
Rebounding is a huge part of the game, and the Milwaukee Bucks have taken full advantage yet again, thanks to the lengths of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. The Atlanta Hawks' struggles on the glass continued as they got dominated on both the offensive and defensive boards.
The Milwaukee Bucks had 50 rebounds in the game, 15 of which were offensive rebounds, while the Atlanta Hawks managed 35 total rebounds and nine in opposition territory. The Bucks also took full advantage of their offensive rebounds, resulting in 18 second-chance points.
#4 The Atlanta Hawks' defense remained one step behind
The Atlanta Hawks' defense has continued to struggle with the Milwaukee Bucks' pace in offense. If the Hawks hope to make things difficult for the Bucks, they will need to do a better job chasing down the ball.
Jrue Holiday was the recipient of long-range passes yet again, as he was often deep in opposition territory immediately after a defensive rebound. The Milwaukee Bucks registered 11 fast-break points, which was four more than the Atlanta Hawks'.
The Milwaukee Bucks have several quick players and are always looking to run on and off the ball. The Atlanta Hawks need to match the Bucks' work rate to stand a chance of making it past the Eastern Conference Finals.
#5 The Milwaukee Bucks were more effective than the Atlanta Hawks
The Milwaukee Bucks were methodical with their shooting, as they made sure to only take shots that were good looks. That served them well, as they were patient and moved the ball around until they found an open man.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks took their shots hastily and denied themselves the opportunity to stay in control. They attempted a lot more 3-point shots instead of seeking high percentage looks to maintain their hold on the game. The Milwaukee Bucks knew that the 3-point shots were not falling for them, so they switched tactics.
The Bucks shot 51.1% (45/88) from the field, while the Hawks went 39/84 (46.4%). The difference in efficiency was glaring, which is one of the reasons why the Hawks lost the game.
