The Milwaukee Bucks dropped the hammer on themselves, in Game 5 of their Semifinals series against the Brooklyn Nets. As a result, they put themselves in elimination danger. Bucks would need to fight for their playoff lives in Game 6, and fight they did. To the tune of a wire-to-wire 104-89 victory.

When it’s win or go home time, you need your stars to show up. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton showed up and showed out.

Giannis’ 30/17/3 was efficient (12-for-20 shooting) and smart. For the first first time in 3 postseasons, Giannis did not attempt a three. Yes, you read that correctly. There were points where I thought he would take the all too familiar, ill advised three, but instead he put his head down and got to the cup with great effectiveness.

Middleton was truly the offensive star of the game. Just as, if not more efficient than Giannis was, but just as smart. Middleton poured in 38 on 11-for-16 shooting, including 5-for-8 from three. Add in 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. That 38/10/5/5 steals with 5 made threes line, is the first in NBA Playoff history. Khris was historically good.

Milwaukee doesn’t need to be historically good to win Game 7 Saturday night in Brooklyn, NY, but they do need to be smart. They cannot, for any stretch of time, fall into the bad habits that have cost them wins in this series.

The Bucks will either survive and advance to their second Eastern Conference Finals in three seasons, or succumb to another gut wrenching playoff failure. They must bring the fight.