Kevin Durant's 49 points propelled the Brooklyn Nets to victory (114-108) over the Milwaukee Bucks, allowing them to regain their 3-2 lead in the NBA East Conference semifinals. Durant, who played the entire fifth game of the series best-of-seven, also captured 17 rebounds and provided 10 assists. The 32-year-old became the first in playoff history to score at least 45 points by taking at least 15 rebounds and providing 10 assists. The awakening of the winger was crucial in the second half of the match, when the Nets were still 17 points behind in the middle of the third quarter. The Nets gave Milwaukee a 17-5 run before Durant ended the game with a three-point field goal and four free throws in the final two minutes.
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 34 points and took 12 rebounds in Game 5, also acknowledged that Durant "is the best player in the world right now".
The Nets now have two chances to win the series, the first Thursday at home in Milwaukee, where they have lost both games of the series played so far. Race 7, if necessary, will be on Saturday in New York. In addition to Durant, the Nets have been able to count on the return of another of their superstars, James Harden, absent from the first game of this semifinal. Also in evidence Jeff Green, 27 points, and Blake Griffin with 17.