NBA Playoffs 2015, Updated Bracket: Bucks upset Bulls, force Game 6

Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Zaza Pachulia (27) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) and forward Taj Gibson (22) in game five of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Zaza Pachulia (27) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) and forward Taj Gibson (22) in game five of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bulls like playing things close, and that’s being proven in their first round series against the Bucks. 


After winning the first three games of their opening round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Chicago Bulls are losers of two straight games. Suddenly, after things looked to be going their way for the first time in four years, the Bulls are up in their series against the Bucks but somehow on the ropes.

Chicago lost Game 5 on Monday night, allowing the Bucks to inch their way back into the series, 3-2. Chicago should already have this series closed out, but they’re squandering away a perfect opportunity to plow through the Bucks and Cavaliers to the Conference Finals.

As long as Milwaukee is around though, they’re not going to go quietly into the night.

Here’s a look at the updated NBA Playoffs Bracket now that the Milwaukee Bucks have improbably won another game to force Game 6 this week.

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2015NBABracket_form-2
2015NBABracket_form-2 /

This game wasn’t just great for the Bucks, but it was a massive relief to the battered Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers learned on Monday that they would be without Kevin Love for the entire Conference Semifinals series and will lose J.R. Smith for the first two games thanks to a suspension.

Extending the Bucks-Bulls series doesn’t make J.R. Smith’s suspension any lighter, but it may give Kevin Love a chance to get healthy before the next series comes to an end. That’s a long shot, and the length of this current series may have no bearing on the health of Kevin Love, but the Cavaliers need all the time they can get between series and the Bucks are doing their part to help out.

Chicago is on notice after dropping two straight close-out games to the Bucks and they seem to be squandering an opportunity to take advantage of a bruised Cavaliers team in the Conference Semifinals.

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