The Milwaukee Bucks edged over the Brooklyn Nets 115-111 in overtime in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday, winning the series 4-3 and reaching the Eastern Finals.

For the first time in franchise history, the Bucks claimed victory on the road in Game 7. Coach Mike Budenholzer finally abandoned his "absolute equalitarianism," and cut the team's rotation to almost six – Bryn Forbes was only given five minutes and left nothing on the court. Pat Connaughton went 3-5 from downtown to get nine points and four rebounds off the bench. He was the only substitute player that scored on both sides.

Brook Lopez and P.J. Tucker made amazing contributions as well. The two buried six 3-pointers together. Tucker had been the Bucks best defensive choice to limit Kevin Durant before he was fouled out. Lopez delivered four blocks in the game. The two also grabbed eight offensive rebounds in total.

Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have experienced a full trip "from hell to heaven." Middleton was 2-11 in the first half, while Holiday shot worse at 2-17 in the first three quarters. However, the two grasped the chance for salvation when it came. Middleton was 6-12 in the second half, burying two triples, and made the last field goal jumper for the Bucks in OT. Holiday went 3-5 in Q4 to get nine points and two assists, helping the Bucks launch an 8-0 run and take the lead in the last minutes.

And then there was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who shot 15-24 on the field to drop 40 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. He still took six attempts from the 3-point line (and made two), partly because the Nets kept double-teaming him when he approached the paint. Nonetheless, by continuously draining triples from the two corners, Tucker and Lopez distracted more defensive attention from the Nets and gave Antetokounmpo wider space to work under the paint, where he was 9-12.

If you watched the game, you would see that Antetokounmpo still lacked consistency with his individual attack. He could appear at the top of the key during fast break even after he already made straight shots in the paint; he still shot two air balls at the 3-point line. But something has changed in him. For example, he would panic hearing the ear-splitting countdown in Barclays Center; he would not try too many sloppy jumpers facing Blake Griffin one-on-one; he was also learning fast how to play off-ball in the offense.

It may sound funny that a 26-year-old two-time NBA MVP is still in the learning process in the intense playoff competitions, but Antetokounmpo's growing was why the Bucks could win the series. If they want to go further, they will need him to learn better and faster.

Standing on the opposite side of the floor was 33-year-old Durant, who already mastered every skill he needed in the game. Like Game 5, Durant again played through every second of the game – he even played five more minutes for OT.

This time James Harden was there with Durant. There were some moments that might give you the misconception that Harden was back with his A game – like going 10-10 in free throws – but the truth is, he was not able to change the Bucks' defense with his penetration. Fifteen of his shooting attempts took place outside the restricted area, and nine of them were off the target.

The longer Harden was on the court, the harder it was for him to make a move. Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported that Harden had a Grade 2 hamstring, which was more critical than many had expected.

Coach Steve Nash also cut down his rotation. Landry Shamet and Jeff Green were the only two substitutes of the Nets in Saturday's game. Shamet only played six minutes in the first quarter. Jeff Green got 12 minutes, but only in Q2, Q4 and OT.

Bruce Brown started in Game 7 carrying the duty of defending Middleton. He did some useful work with his energy, including getting four offensive rebounds. Griffin spent most of his 40 minutes tussling with Antetokounmpo, and he made three valuable triples before being fouled out. Joe Harris shot at 3-9 from the arc, better than previously in the series but not good enough to stop some Nets fans from burning his No. 12 jersey after the game.

Unfortunately, everything fell back onto the shoulders of Durant and he fired every bullet he had left, going 17-36 in FG, 4-11 in triples, and 10-11 in free throws to put down 48 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

When Durant buried that turnaround jumper at the end of the fourth quarter to tie the score 109-109, he already saved the Nets once. Before that moment, some of his shots were already off the target, going too short – a sign of strength giving out. Moreover, stamina has never been Durant's forte, especially when he had to stand Tucker's physical defense all the time.

That's partly why Durant missed all of his six attempts in OT. Many blamed Nash for not calling the last timeout. But if he did, it might only give the Bucks more time to set up a better defense, so it would not be 1.9-meter-tall Holiday trying to defend 2.11-meter-tall Durant on the top of the key.

Falling down in the Eastern semifinals is not what most expected from the Nets, despite the injuries suffered by Harden, Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie. The good news for them is that Durant, Harden and Irving did not join hands to bet on one season. As long as they are still at Barclays Center, the team's future is nothing but bright.