It was not all that long ago when it appeared like the sky was falling in Milwaukee.

At one point, the team was 1-6 and rumors permeated about the possibility that the team would be open to trading two-time league MVP, eight-time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, and eight-time All-NBA selection Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The resilient Milwaukee squad has battled back from that inauspicious start and is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, with a 13-11 record.

More impressively, they have advanced through the NBA Cup unbeaten.

The team has played its best ball within the confines of the tournament, scoring three double-digit victories in four group stage wins and bouncing the young, fun Orlando Magic squad in a quarterfinal match-up, 114-109.

Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have spurred the Bucks’ comeback with an explosive offense that has seen the former average 32.7 per game while Lillard has added 25.8.

The Milwaukee offense runs through those two superstars, with everyone else playing complementary ball. Bobby Portis Jr. has emerged in recent games, but a victory for the Bucks hinges on their two stars continuing to perform at the level they have to this point.

Against the Hawks and a dazzling offense sparked by star Trae Young’s willingness to dish the ball (12.2 assists per game) to the likes of Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter, the key may be Antetokounmpo’s defense.

If Giannis can sustain his 9.3 defensive rebounds per game, and shut down some of the lanes Young will look to take advantage of while finding his teammates, it will be difficult for the Hawks to hang that first (and most costly) “L” on a team that has bounced back from a frustrating start to the season to find themselves in the thick of the Eastern Conference and two wins away from claiming the NBA Cup.