Carter-Williams, Bucks lock down Bulls to force Game 6
The Milwaukee Bucks are halfway to NBA history.
After avoiding a sweep on a Jerryd Bayless buzzer-beater in Game 4, the young Bucks held the Bulls to 34 percent shooting in Monday's Game 5, silencing the United Center crowd and escaping Chicago with a 94-88 victory to send the series back to Milwaukee.
With the win, the Bucks became just the 13th team in NBA history - and the first in franchise history - to force a Game 6 after losing the first three games of a series.
No team has ever completed a rally from a 3-0 series deficit.
Turning Point
After the Bulls had cut the Bucks' lead to three on a Pau Gasol jumper with 4:45 to go in the fourth, Milwaukee went on a 6-1 run over the next couple of minutes to put the game out of reach - a missed Gasol layup that appeared a surefire two points looming large for Chicago.
Giannis Antetokounmpo also came up with a huge block on Derrick Rose with 38 seconds remaining, preserving a fragile four-point lead for the Bucks at the time.
Rejection was a common theme for Rose during Game 5, as the former MVP went 5-of-20 from the field and 0-for-7 from deep in a pitiful 13-point performance that saw him record six turnovers compared to two assists.
Star Performer
Michael Carter-Williams turned in one of his finest performances as a Buck, pouring in 22 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, three blocks and a steal.
The offensively challenged point guard, who entered Game 5 shooting worse than 39 percent in the series, went 10-of-15 from the field on Monday in 37:40 of action.
Carter-Williams was also sensational defensively, his length and activity causing fits for Chicago's guards as the Bucks posted a team-low defensive rating of 82.0 with MCW on the court.
Highlight Reel
Jimmy Buckets chases down Khris Middleton for a ridiculously athletic block.
Zaza Pachulia's prayer is answered.
That wasn't the only time Pachulia used the glass to knock down a circus shot.
Series at a Glance
Game 1: Bulls 103, Bucks 91 (Bulls lead 1-0)
Game 2: Bulls 91, Bucks 82 (Bulls lead 2-0)
Game 3: Bulls 113, Bucks 106 (OT) (Bulls lead 3-0)
Game 4: Bucks 92, Bulls 90 (Bulls lead 3-1)
Game 5: Bucks 92, Bulls 84 (Bulls lead 3-2)
Game 6: Thursday, April 30, TBD
Game 7*: Saturday, May 2, TBD