The Milwaukee Bucks took a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 113-102 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night in Game 3. Atlanta led by as many as 15 points in the first half, and led by seven points with just over seven minutes remaining. But then Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton took over.
After Atlanta’s 95-88 lead, Middleton scored 17 points. Middleton even outscored Atlanta in the entire fourth quarter, 20-17! He finished the night with 38 points (15-of-26 from the field, 6-of-12 on threes), 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
Khris Middleton is the first Bucks player with 20 points in a 4th quarter of a playoff game over the last 25 postseasons. The only other Bucks player with 20 points in any playoff quarter over the last 25 postseasons? Khris Middleton, done last year. pic.twitter.com/Fo0avas5kZ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2021
MIDDLETON OUTSCORED THE WHOLE HAWKS TEAM IN THE 4TH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/v2sO0kbINQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 28, 2021
Milwaukee is pretty much always going to get the big numbers from two-time NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo (who had 33 points and 11 rebounds; ho-hum), but they’re on a completely different level when Middleton is also playing like this.
After a disappointing Game 1 loss at home to the Hawks, the Bucks have rebounded with two impressive wins. Game 4 is — for all intents and purposes — a must-win for Atlanta. It’s hard to imagine the Hawks being able to win three in a row vs Milwaukee if the Bucks take a 3-1 series lead.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at Awful Announcing and The Comeback.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@awfulannouncing.com.