5 things Atlanta Hawks need to do to beat Milwaukee Bucks in 7 games in Eastern Conference Finals | 2021 NBA Playoffs

#3 The Atlanta Hawks must protect the paint

Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks makes a save against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Atlanta Hawks were dominated when Milwaukee Bucks' center Brook Lopez scored 33 points in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, with 26 of those points coming in the paint.

Lopez had a vintage performance with 14 field goals made in 18 attempts and the Atlanta Hawks' defense could not stop him in the key. For the remainder of the series, Nate McMillan's team cannot allow Lopez or any other Bucks player (outside of Giannis if he plays) to become a dominant force in the paint.

If that means making the Milwaukee Bucks a three-point shooting team, that could be a better strategy, as Mike Budenholzer's squad is shooting only 29% from the three-point line in this series.

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#2 Bogdan Bogdanovic needs to stay aggressive

Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks.

Bogdan Bogdanovic has been struggling in the Eastern Conference Finals with right knee soreness and his efficiency has not been there for the entirety of the series against the Milwaukee Bucks. He is probable for Game 6.

However, he managed to perform tremendously in the last two games, scoring 20 and 28 points in the fourth and fifth games of the series, respectively.

In the last couple of games, Bogdanovic has made 13 of his 30 attempts from the three-point line, and the Atlanta Hawks need that kind of production from him going forward.

Bogdanovic has not been efficient in the 2021 NBA Playoffs as his shooting splits are currently 38/32/66, but his last two outings should be encouraging for him and the Atlanta Hawks.

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#1 John Collins must step up

John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks.

John Collins is arguably the second-most talented player on the Atlanta Hawks' roster and the team's best forward. His athleticism can be a phenomenal tool against the Milwaukee Bucks' physicality and size, but Collins has not been consistent this series.

Collins averaged 17.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in the regular season with amazing shooting splits (55/39/83). However, he is only at 13.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in the NBA Playoffs.

His efficiency is still there, with 54/36/82 shooting splits in the postseason, but he needs to demand the ball more on offense and establish himself as a scorer.

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