Final Score: Bucks 111, Hawks 104

Carlos Delfino, Brandon Jennings, and John Salmons all scored 22 or more points, and the 6-seed Milwaukee Bucks won Monday night's Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks to even the series at 2 games apiece.

This matchup has looked like a completely different series in Games 3 and 4 in Milwaukee than it did in the first two games in Atlanta. The Bucks have played with much more energy and seem way more confident at home than they did on the road. Meanwhile, the Hawks have played visibly less aggressive and just look lethargic in their efforts in Milwaukee. Atlanta's coaches and players have certainly noticed it, but can't seem to change it.

"It's very frustrating, man," said Hawks leading scorer Joe Johnson. "We just don't have the toughness. They are getting all the loose balls, all the big rebounds. We can't get stops when we need to and it's killing us."

The Hawks were a sub-.500 team on the road during the regular season and have now lost consecutive road playoff games to put themselves in essentially a must-win scenario in Game 5. They play much better at home and should be heavy favorites to win that game, but their opponents have some great momentum and confidence heading forward.

Carlos Delfino had 22 points for the Bucks, shooting 6 for 8 from the three point line and adding a thunderous facial dunk that will make the highlight reels tomorrow. John Salmons also had 22 points, highlighted by a perfect 10 for 10 performance from the free throw line. And exciting rookie point guard Brandon Jennings scored 23 points on 9 of 16 shooting. He also added 4 rebounds and 6 assists with just 1 turnover.

Joe Johnson led the way for Atlanta with 29 points on 50% shooting with 4 rebounds and 9 assists. Josh Smith also shot well and had 20 points and 9 rebounds. And super-sub Jamal Crawford scored 21 off the bench on 50% shooting.

The overall team effort, though, from the Hawks was not up to par with that of the Bucks. Milwaukee shared the ball well all night and didn't care who was taking the shots from the field, as long as someone was open. They shot 55% in comparison to Atlanta's 47%, and the Bucks also dominated points in the paint 44-26.

The road woes for the Atlanta Hawks continue to puzzle all fans, analysts, and even themselves.

"I wish I knew," said Jamal Crawford. "I wish I could figure it out. We're two totally different teams. I think it's been like that in the past for this team. We play well at home, we feed off the crowd, but you can't play every game at home. We have to figure this out. That's what winners do, that's what champions do."

Luckily, the Hawks have home-court advantage and get a chance to win this series just by winning the home games. They won't have that luxury next round, but perhaps their thinking is just to take care of business at home this series and figure out their road problems for the next one.

"The good thing is we've got home-court advantage," Joe Johnson said. "We have to go home and take care of our home court. Just start with Game 5 first."

Coach Mike Woodson was very upset with the team's effort in Game 3, and didn't even want to dwell on their disappointing performance tonight. He's ready to move on to the next game, as well.

"Somehow we've got to get our defensive mojo back where we're defending and rebounding and running up and down the floor," Coach Woodson said. "And come Wednesday we'll get that opportunity."

The Bucks, however, are just as excited for the next game as the Hawks are. Milwaukee has built some great momentum by tying the series and know that they are playing with house money going forward, as huge underdogs without their injured star center Andrew Bogut.

Brandon Jennings, one of the leading candidates for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award this season, expressed that sentiment.

"I still feel like there's no pressure on us," Jennings said. "At the end of the day, everybody still expects us to lose the series. The best thing we can do right now is just keep fighting, keep competing with them and just see how everything goes. Hopefully we can go over there and steal one."

If the Bucks could somehow steal Game 5, they know they can win the next one at home. They need to give an all-out effort in Game 5 to have a chance to beat the more talented, explosive Atlanta team that is a heavy favorite.

Expect Game 5 to be a heated battle between these 2 teams. The Hawks will certainly come out motivated and comfortable at home, but the Bucks know they can steal this series with the way they're playing.