When the Atlanta Hawks take on the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday, it will mark the 12th Game 5 this postseason. Teams who have won Game 5 in a best-of-seven series went on to win that series just over 82 percent of the time. This postseason, that number is down to 72 percent (8-3) but four of those wins came in closeouts.
When you adjust for gentleman’s sweeps, Game 5 winners are 4-3 in series wins. That there is much less of an advantage this season is emblematic of a postseason ravaged by injuries.
For Atlanta, Trae Young is listed as questionable for Thursday as he continues to recover from the bone bruise he suffered in Game 3. The Bucks are in even worse shape as Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a hyperextended knee in the third quarter of Game 4 and is doubtful for Thursday.
The Atlanta Hawks have seen several trends take shape in the Eastern Conference Finals
It will be the third Game 5 for the Hawks, a setting in which they are 2-0. Historically, it hasn’t been as favorable though. Dating back to 1957, the Hawks are just 17-24 in Game 5s.
We’ll lean into the randomness of these playoffs and how well the Hawks have performed here.
So what has happened in this postseason and, specifically, against Milwaukee that could see Atlanta join the Phoenix Suns in reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in (well) over 25 years? What can they do to give themselves the best chance regardless of whether either team’s superstar plays or not?
It starts with getting stops.