Keeping the Bucks out of the paint gives the Hawks a chance to win

Entering Game 4, the Bucks had been outscoring the Hawks 70 points in the paint, yet Atlanta tightened things up defensively and were able to change the narrative in Game 4. Giannis Antetokounmpo missing most of the second-half definitely played a major role in the Hawks defending the paint so well, but they actually outscored the Bucks 46-44 in the paint in this game. 

Atlanta played picture-perfect defense on the Bucks every time they tried to attack the paint and Milwaukee just did not make any adjustments all game long to try something different. Every single time they looked to attack on offense, the Hawks created a wall and very rarely were the Bucks able to get the ball inside. 

In the first-half with Giannis Antetokounmpo healthy and on the floor, the Bucks only had 12 points in the paint! Atlanta just played suffocating defense on the Bucks and as mentioned, the Bucks just did not seem to want to make any adjustments. 

Now with Giannis’ status uncertain, Milwaukee is really going to have to change their approach on offense. Not only because their leading scorer is out, but because they cannot just expect to shoot three-pointers only and win this series. 

The three-point shot has been a great extension of the Bucks offense all season long, but their main advantage that they have had over teams is their ability to attack the paint on offense and score at the rim. Without Antetokounmpo, they do not have their main offensive force, but they still have plenty of high-level talents who found success in the paint all season and series long. 

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If the Bucks come out passive again in Game 5 on offense and they are not looking to attack the rim, then they will find themselves in a 3-2 hole, regardless if Trae Young plays or not. The worst thing that happens when attacking the basket for the Bucks is that they go to the free-throw line and get the Hawks in foul trouble! 

Scoring in the paint must be an emphasis once again for Milwaukee in Game 5 and for the Hawks, they should just look to do the same things on defense that worked in Game 4! Tightening the passing lanes and forming a wall when anybody goes to drive worked so well for Atlanta, which is why we should expect the same approach defensively for the Hawks moving forward in this series.