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How many times can we say, "well, we sure didn't expect to be here..." before we start to sound like the ones in denial?
It's taken some surprising, gutsy performances, but the Milwaukee Bucks have fought their way back from an 0-3 deficit in their first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls. Now with Game 6 back in their home arena, the Bucks can do something very few teams have done before them.
Can they pull it off? We want to know what you think. Have the last two games, hard-fought victories each, changed your opinion of the Bucks and their ability to hang with the Eastern Conference elite? Or will the music finally stop and send the Bucks to another summer without a playoff series win?
Here's what a few members of the Brew Hoop staff have to say.
Dan - Bulls in 7
The Bucks have to be brimming with confidence right now, while the Bulls are just trying to figure out who they can count on each night. I think that continues for one more game. Khris Middleton is playing well, Giannis is making an impact on defense, and the Milwaukee crowd should be really hyped up. I think they'll hold off a well-rested Derrick Rose and take one more game, but they'll be drained for Game 7 and come up short of history.
Aron - Bucks in 7
Yes, I think the Bucks can legitimately do this, and if you don’t, you haven’t watched the last two games of the series (especially Game 5) enough, and haven’t noticed how much better they’ve gotten each game. Jimmy Butler was actually stopped inside! Who knows if that can hold the remainder of the series, but Milwaukee is using the heck out of their length to stop the Bulls and that can win them this series. I didn’t believe the Bucks would win in Chicago, but they did it, so there’s no reason for me to think they can’t actually do this. Oh, and don’t think they aren’t motivated by the talk of Cleveland and Chicago next round.
Corey - Bulls in 6
The Bucks' youth will come out over-amped for Thursday's game, leading to more mistakes than normal. If the Bucks' bench can replicate the success from Game 4 and mitigate some of the damage, the game will go down to the wire again. But I think Derrick Rose regains his form after being bested by Michael Carter-Williams in Game 5, Pau Gasol has a big game, and the Bulls advance on Thursday.