How were the Bucks going to be able to do offensively against the Pacers without the crazy offensive series of Damian Lillard and his 35 points in the first period of Game 1, or the athletic domination of Giannis Antetokounmpo? Milwaukee was not the favorite on Tuesday in this life-or-death Game 5. But that was without counting on the confirmed return to grace of Khris Middleton. Another regular in the infirmary, the All-Star winger finds form at the best of times, when he has to assert himself as a boss in his very particular style.
If Bobby Portis responded (29 points) or Patrick Beverley delivered one of his best matches under his new colors with a double-double, it was Khris Middleton who behaved as a leader. His 29 consistent points – between 5 and 10 points scored in each of the four quarters – kept Milwaukee in the game, before driving the point home when necessary. All in Middleton style, without frills or physical prowess, but with a disconcerting sense of control and flawless technical fundamentals.
Middleton, the chess player
“ I don't know how he does that » asks Jae Crowder, who is now used to working alongside him as a teammate or as an opponent, at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “ But he has a feeling to say to himself: 'Hey, I have to try to score here, or at least take a shot'. It's just his feeling about the game. I can't explain it. It's simply his knowledge of the game, his rhythm, and his way of wanting to obtain his preferential positions to take a match for himself. »
Rookie AJ Griffin discovers watchmaker Middleton this season, irresistible without giving the impression. “ He is extremely precise in his execution, the way he does things. Lady can get hot and you can't stop her. Giannis is going to keep coming at you, and you won't be able to stop him. Khris, you can't stop him, but that's just by his accuracy. 'I'm going to find this shooting position. I'm going to do this move that I've done a thousand times'. It's like chess. That's the beautiful side of basketball. And it's cool to have different ways to be successful. We have three very different leaders and they all get the job done. »
Attack leader but not only
The only member of the “Big Three” to be able to play, Khis Middleton is not content just to wear the mark of his family. With his 12 rebounds (and 5 assists), he signed his fourth double-double of the series, while he had only two in fifty-five games played in the regular season. All while accumulating a third match at 40 minutes or more, a bar that he had not yet reached in 2023-2024.
“ He gave us everything » rejoiced his coach Doc Rivers. Khris Middleton thus averages 26.8 points at 49.5%, his best average in a series of playoffs in his career, accompanied by 9.4 rebounds and 5 assists!
To complete this performance, the winger was also one of the essential links in Doc Rivers' defensive adjustment. Khris Middleton was sent to Myles Turner to whom he nevertheless gives ten centimeters (Brook Lopez taking care of Aaron Nesmith) to better be able to switch on all the screens. The recipe worked wonderfully since the Pacers signed their lowest offensive total of the series with 92 points, before Game 6 on Thursday in Indiana.
