The Nets seemed to be in total control of their series against the Bucks after two impressive wins to open the series, but the momentum has shifted massively to Milwaukee’s favor after the Bucks took Game 4 on Sunday. After willing their way back in the series with an excellent defensive performance in Game 3, the Bucks were lights out from the field in Game 4, and, more importantly, the Nets lost Kyrie Irving to an ankle injury and could be without their star guard moving forward.
Kyrie Irving (11 PTS, 5-11 FG) had to leave midway through the second quarter after turning his ankle. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The stage was set for an absolute second half showdown between two Eastern Conference powerhouses featuring two of the best players in the world going at it for a career defining moment.
When the second half resumed, it was Antetokounmpo who stepped up, finishing the game with 34 points and 12 rebounds in a 107-96 win. The Greek Freak was efficient too, shooting 14-of-26 from the field. The Bucks forced 17 turnovers for the Nets and they capitalized off of them with 20 fast break points.
The Nets were held to 43 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent shooting from deep. Brooklyn averages about 41 percent from downtown each game. With no player scoring in double-digits other than Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, perimeter shooting is going to be the way the Nets try to recover from this performance with whoever they have moving forward.
Steve Nash confirmed Kyrie Irving’s X-Rays came back clean, but his status for Game 5 is unknown. As for James Harden, his status for Game 5 is also unclear – but Brooklyn may need its stars to return to survive this rapidly evolving series.
The Nets' offense struggles without Kyrie
When Kyrie Irving went down, it left the Nets without another playmaker with James Harden also still out. Not only that, Irving is just a tough to guard offensive threat that creates space for others on the court offensively. The team suffered in his loss and only connected on four threes after he went back to the locker room. The Nets also only shot 30 percent from deep compared to their overall team average of 41 percent from three.
The Bucks take advantage of Brooklyn's weak perimeter defense
The Milwaukee Bucks had their best shooting game from three in the series in Game 4. The Bucks managed to make more threes than the Nets with 16, and also shot a better percentage. If Milwaukee can maintain their form from the perimeter and translate their regular season form, the Brooklyn Nets are in danger.
Turnovers cost the Nets
The Nets recorded 17 turnovers, giving the Bucks way too many transition opportunities which is the exact thing Steve Nash wanted to prevent before the game. Milwaukee outscored Brooklyn 20-6 in fast break points, punishing Brooklyn for not taking care of the ball.
