MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks are three wins away from a spot in the NBA Finals after improving to 6-2 on the road this postseason.
Trae Young scored 48 points and Clint Capela converted a go-ahead putback with 29.8 seconds left as the Hawks took Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 116-113 over the Bucks.
Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo scored the first six points in a 9-0 run that turned a 98-96 deficit into a 105-98 advantage with 4:18 left. But the Hawks scored the next five points, and the game went back and forth from there.
John Collins contributed 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Hawks. Capela provided 12 points and 19 boards.
After Capela’s go-ahead bucket, Young hit four free throws in the final 18 seconds to prevent Milwaukee from being in position to hit a game-winning shot.
Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Bucks, while Jrue Holiday added 33 points and 10 assists. Khris Middleton finished with 15 points on 6 of 23 shooting, including 0-for-9 from 3-point range.
Game 2 is Friday in Milwaukee, where the Bucks hadn’t lost in the postseason until Wednesday.
