NBA Playoffs 2020: Previewing the three Game 5s on Day 10 of the postseason

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Nine days into the 2020 NBA playoffs and three teams, all from the Eastern Conference, have already advanced to the Conference Semifinals. 

On day 10 - Thursday, August 27th - two other teams stand a chance to do the same - Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Both top seeds can advance to the Conference Semifinals by winning Game 5s of their respective first-round series.

Meanwhile, the other Game 5 - a matchup between the fourth-seeded Houston Rockets and the fifth-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder - is all about momentum as the series stands at two games apiece. 

We've got you covered with everything you need to know ahead of Thursday's three Game 5s.

All win probabilities are per FiveThirtyEight's NBA Predictions model. All times in IST.

Orlando Magic @ Milwaukee Bucks - Game 5 @ 1:30 AM

Win probability: Bucks - 72%

After being shocked in Game 1, the league's top seed - the Milwaukee Bucks - have taken care of business by winning the next three games by an average margin of 14.7 points. 

Reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has named 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year before Game 5, has been stellar in this series with averages of 31.3 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists on 57.8% shooting from the field.

Expect more of the same from both the Greek Freak and the Bucks, as they are heavily favoured to win Game 5 and advance to the Conference Semifinals.

For the Magic, it's been all Nikola Vucevic who's averaged 29.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 54.7% shooting from the field. In a must-win Game 5, can Orlando pull off another upset?

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets - Game 5 @ 4:00 AM

Win probability: Rockets - 69%

Count out the Oklahoma City Thunder and they'll continue to beat the odds. By winning Games 3 & 4, the Thunder have made this series once again. 

Will they carry their momentum into Game 5 and win three straight? Can James Harden and the Rockets find their rhythm once again? 

Irrespective of what happens, Russell Westbrook would not be suiting up for Houston in this one as they have announced him as 'out'.

Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Lakers - Game 5 @ 6:30 AM

Win probability: Lakers - 72%

Damian Lillard being out for this game is the biggest storyline heading into this contest.

In two of the three losses (Games 2 & 4), the Trail Blazers have lost by a combined margin of 43 points and their All-Star not suiting up doesn't help their cause in this must-win situation. In addition, the Lakers' offense seems to be steadily finding its rhythm after the Game 1 upset loss. 

Can a very shorthanded Trail Blazers make Game 5 competitive and possibly force a Game 6? The Lakers are 72% favourites to wrap things up. 

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