Khris Middleton reached a playoff record of 38 points on Sunday night as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 113 to102. This gave them a 2-1 lead in Eastern Conference Finals.
Hawks star Trae Youth scored 35 points but suffered a late injury scare. He rolled his right ankle after he stepped on a referee’s foot late into the third quarter.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, scored 11 of his 33 points in the second quarter to tie Game Three at 56-56 at halftime.
The Bucks took the lead in the third period, but the Hawks responded with a three-pointer by Danilo Gallinari. It made it 85-83 for the hosts at the end.
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Middleton had just suffered a few poor performances and was shooting.333 from the field before Sunday’s crucial game.
The Milwaukee forward, however, found his rhythm in Game Three and especially in the fourth quarter. He scored 20 of his 38 points in the final 12 minutes and beat the Hawks team with 17 points.
Khris Middleton was seen dribbling downcourt in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks, during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals.
“I just got them to go,” Middleton stated after winning the game. “I have been having trouble getting the ball in the basket. They finally started dropping the ball for me at just the right moment. That’s what I am grateful for.
In his 42 minutes of service, Middleton had 11 rebounds as well as seven assists. Antetokounmpo had 11 rebounds and four assists to help the Bucks. Bobby Portis scored 15 points from the bench. The jrue Holiday was a disappointing 2 for 11, but he led the offense with 12 assists.
“He was amazing”
“What he did today was unbelievable,” Antetokounmpo stated of Middleton later. He was amazing. Carried the team to the finish.”
“What I saw today, was greatness. He concluded, “Simple as that.”
The Hawks are more concerned about the lingering effects of Trae Young’s ankle injury than their loss. He said that it was hurting after the game. It’s frustrating. It hurts a bit. It was hard to go fast enough, and it hurt when I did.
Young will be scanned at the ankle by an MRI Monday
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