Bucks outlast Nets in Game 7 overtime thriller to reach Eastern Conference finals

Exhaustion draped Giannis Antetokounmpo early in the game, at the end of the game and all points between.

With his two main teammates struggling offensively, Antetokounmpo helped drag the Milwaukee Bucks to a 115-111 Game 7 overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday and into the Eastern Conference finals.

Antetokounmpo had 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists and received some much-needed offensive help in the fourth quarter and overtime. Trailing 101-96 with four minutes left, the Bucks outscored the Nets 19-10 down the stretch and in overtime.

The Bucks went scoreless for the first 3:48 of overtime. But Brooklyn had made just one basket. Antetokounmpo’s short jumper tied the score at 111-111, and Khris Middleton gave the Bucks a 113-111 lead with 40.7 to go in OT.

A FANTASTIC GAME 7 FINISH… relive the best plays down the stretch as the @Bucks outlasted Brooklyn in an OT thriller! #ThatsGame

Milwaukee advances to the #NBAECF presented by AT&T… they will play the winner of ATL/PHI. #NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/TLSjhqGV5v

Kevin Durant, who had another masterpiece offensively in regulation, missed a 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left in OT that would have given Brooklyn a 114-113 lead. He was 0-for-6 in overtime after scoring a Game 7-record 48 points in the first four quarters.

Back-to-back baskets by Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday put Milwaukee up 104-103. Clutch free throws put Milwaukee ahead 109-107, and Durant’s long 2-pointer (his foot was on the 3-point lwith one second left in regulation forced overtime.

Milwaukee advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2019 but just the second time in the past 21 seasons. The Bucks will play the winner of Sunday’s Atlanta-Philadelphia Game 7 in the East finals starting Wednesday.

Milwaukee had to overcome another wonderful offensive performance from Durant, who also had nine rebounds and six assists, and for the second time in the series, he played the entire game.

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