The Bucks had something to prove playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 5 and they proved it with a convincing, 123-112, home win against Atlanta.

Now it's the Hawks who must play with desperation down 3-2 in this Eastern Conference Final.

I highly doubt Antetokounmpo plays. Trae Young is iffy, but won't be 100 percent if he does see the court because of a bruised foot. Young is a streak shooter. He figures to be rusty if he does manage to play.

This is deep playoff basketball being Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The teams will compensate for their missing stars through super-intense defense.

That means for the Hawks clamping down on the Brook Lopez-Jrue Holiday show that was so effective in Game 5. Bobby Portis isn't going wild again either. The Hawks have the coaching and defense to do this especially at home. Atlanta has yielded just 101.2 points in its last four home games. Milwaukee is averaging 100.8 points in regulation during its last five away contests.

The last five in this series played in Atlanta have all gone Under. The Bucks are down two of their ball handlers with Antetokounmpo and Donte DiVincenzo out. This puts a lot of pressure and extra burden on Holiday, who also is a key defender. Holiday isn't going to sacrifice his defense.

The Bucks shot 51 percent from the floor at home in Game 5. They shot 39.3 percent from the floor and scored 88 points during Game 4 in Atlanta.