After four games of the NBA Finals, it is tied up 2-2 in the series.
The Milwaukee Bucks have won the last two games, after dropping the first two in Phoenix.
This Bucks team looked as if they could be potentially swept by the Suns after Games 1 and 2.
The first two games were not close in all reality.
However, the Bucks regrouped and took care of business at home.
Now with Game 5 on the horizon, can the Bucks now be the favorites?
The road team has not won yet in this series, but the Bucks can possibly do it.
The favorites in this series might have changed from the Suns to the Bucks.
Here is why.
Consistent Khris Middleton
Game 4 was a great game, as it came down the wire.
The Bucks needed a closer to finish the game for them and that person was Khris Middleton.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is by far the best player for the Bucks, but Middleton is their fourth-quarter scorer.
Middleton proved that in Game 4.
He scored 40 points for the entire game, but scored 14 in the fourth quarter alone.
The Bucks need him to be consistent.
When he plays great, they win.
In fact, they are undefeated in the postseason when he scores 30 points or more.
The Bucks thrive when Khris Middleton scores 30+ this postseason 😲 pic.twitter.com/vuVxTVuOdB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 15, 2021
The only question is if he can have consecutive performances like the one in Game 4.
Middleton is the second-best player for the Bucks.
His scoring is very important for this team.
The belief is that he can continue his hot streak and make them the favorites for the rest of the series.
Momentum Shift
The Suns came into the series and took the first two games.
This series looked over.
There was a feeling that the Bucks did not have an answer for this team.
However, the Bucks came home and took the momentum from the Suns.
This has become the norm for the Bucks this postseason.
After their first-round series, the Bucks did not look like a title team throughout the first couple of games in the series.
Then they would bounce back and take the series altogether.
Since the start of the Eastern Conf Semis, the Bucks are…
❌1-5 in Games 1-2
✔️9-2 in Games 3-7 pic.twitter.com/4yYqnKSVnb— Stathead (@Stathead) July 15, 2021
Momentum can easily shift in a playoff series.
You just have to take advantage when the time comes.
The Bucks have been able to do just that.
The Finals were all but over after Game 2.
Now it is a different ballgame.
They Have The Best Player
The best player in this series is Antetokounmpo.
There is no debate over that statement.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s stats in the NBA Finals through 4 games:
32.3 PPG
14.0 RPG
5.5 APG
1.8 SPG
1.5 BPG
61.3% FG
65.0% TSGiannis has the highest +/- in the Finals at +27 and has been by far the best defender pic.twitter.com/Hs8Jf2oxAe
— GiannisTape (@giannisstape) July 16, 2021
He has absolutely been dominant on both sides of the court.
From astounding blocks, to bullying the Suns in the paint, Antetokounmpo has been a force.
The Suns have not been able to find an answer for him.
Devin Booker played a great game, while Antetokounmpo didn’t equal up to his previous games.
The Bucks still won.
We can assume that he will be even better than Game 4.
Game 5 is a critical game for both sides.
However, the Bucks should be the favorite for that game and this series.
NEXT: 1 Player Who Stepped Up For Bucks In NBA Finals Game 4