The Atlanta Hawks’ four-game winning streak has come to an end, thanks in large part to a dominant performance by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.The Hawks were missing Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu today, leaving them shorthanded against Giannis, and it showed. Atlanta had no answers for him throughout the game, and the Hawks offense’s dismal second quarter provided Milwaukee with a cushion for the remainder of the game. The Hawks looked the most disconnected they had since their road trip, despite having played four excellent games.Let us recap tonight’s game in Atlanta.The Hawks’ starting lineup included Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, Vit Krejci, and Clint Capela. Johnson was doubtful heading into the game, but he will miss another game. His next opportunity to play will be Monday in Chicago.Milwaukee’s initial five on the floor were Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez. Damian Lillard was out of tonight’s game.

The Hawks started strong tonight, and Murray, who had four points against the Celtics on Thursday, was leading the charge for Atlanta early on. He and Bogdanovic got the Hawks out to a 14-6 lead, and the offense was on fire early. Murray finished the quarter with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.The Bucks boast one of the NBA’s finest offenses, and even without Damian Lillard, Milwaukee rallied after falling behind early. The Bucks went on an 8-0 run to level the game at 14-14, but Hunter converted a and-one and hit the free throw to put the Hawks back ahead.Middleton, not Giannis, was the Bucks’ top performer in the first quarter, and Hawks fans will remember him in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. Middleton got everything he wanted, finishing the quarter with 12 points, two rebounds, and three assists.The Hawks defense had no answer for Middleton or the Bucks offense. Milwaukee shot 59% in the first quarter, leading 33-28 going into the second.Tonight, the Hawks used their typical bench rotation. Garrison Matthews, Bruno Fernando, Trent Forrest, Wesley Matthews, and Dylan Windler all entered the game by the early second quarter. Atlanta had only ten players available tonight, and they used all of them early.The Hawks struggled in the second quarter, particularly on offense.Any time you are matched up with Giannis, it will be a huge challenge. Without Onyeka Okongwu and Johnson, the Hawks lacked the size to throw at him and make life difficult. He began to establish his will in the second quarter, and the Hawks had no response.The Hawks were also unable to make a three-point shot. Atlanta went 0-7 from deep in the quarter, and when combined with the end of the first quarter, they missed 11 consecutive shots. Murray fell quiet after a blazing start, and the Hawks trailed by up to 18 points. They trimmed the deficit to 14 at halftime and trailed 59-45.

Atlanta made 36% of its shots from the field and 24% from three in the first half. Murray and Bogdanovic scored 12 points each.Milwaukee made 51% of its shots from the field and 30% from three-point range. Giannis recorded a double-double in the first half, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while shooting 7-9 from the line. Bobby Portis comes off the bench to give the Bucks ten points.The second half began just like the second quarter ended. Giannis couldn’t be stopped, and the Bucks gave him the ball on every possession, and he attacked the rim. The Bucks extended their advantage to 21, and it appeared like their winning streak would come to an end with a blowout.But the Hawks attack finally started making shots, and they got some stops on the opposite end. The Hawks made four of their first seven three-point shots in the quarter, cutting the margin to 12 points, 77-65, with 4:19 remaining.Giannis and the Bucks would respond, and whenever it appeared that Atlanta was closing the gap, the Bucks responded. Milwaukee led 89-74 at the end of the third, and the Hawks would need a huge fourth quarter to have a shot.However, it did not last very long.After a lethargic second and third quarters, Middleton came out of the break and sank a three to extend the advantage to eight, and after a Hawks miss, Lopez blasted another three to make it an 11-point game. After the Hawks gained momentum, Milwaukee regained it. Milwaukee led 104-94 with 5:41 to go.Following the timeout, the teams traded some baskets. Bogdanovic made a mid-range shot to cut the lead to eight, and Beverley sank a floater to bring the game back to 10. After Giannis’ and-one, Capela dunked, the Hawks caused a shot clock violation, and Capela scored a hook shot to trim the advantage to 109-101 with 3:25 remaining.Milwaukee did, however, seal the game after the break. Antetokounmpo made a layup, and after a charge on Murray, Malik Beasley drilled a three, putting the Bucks up 13 with 1:51 left in the game.

Atlanta fought valiantly, but Giannis and the Bucks proved too strong. The Hawks’ winning streak has ended, and they will face the Chicago Bulls on Monday in a crucial game.

In the contest, Atlanta shot 46% from the field and 40% from three. Bogdanovic had a fantastic game, scoring 38 points. Dejounte Murray had an off game, shooting 7-19 for 20 points. The only other Hawks to reach double figures were De’Andre Hunter (13), Capela (10), and Fernando (10).

Milwaukee made 55% of its field goals and 28% of its three-point attempts. It is difficult to have a dominate night on offense in the NBA these days without excellent three-point shooting, but the Bucks have Giannis, which other teams do not have. He finished with 36 points and 16 rebounds, Middleton with 21 and Beverley with 18.

With the setback, Atlanta is now one game behind the Bulls for the Eastern Conference’s ninth place. Chicago faces Minnesota tomorrow, and if the Timberwolves win, the Hawks may go into Chicago and overtake the Bulls on Monday. The game will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Monday in Chicago.