(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks were able to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament after they beat the Miami Heat 131-124.
The Bucks got dominant performances from their star duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard who combined for 65 points.
Although Miami was playing without Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, they gave Milwaukee a tough time as Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Josh Richardson took over the offense.
Milwaukee’s defense hasn’t looked as sharp as it has in recent years, though the offensive boost they have because of Lillard is making up the difference.
However, the key player in the Bucks’ tough win was Khris Middleton who is beginning to look more like himself on the floor.
Bobby Marks went as far as to say that Milwaukee will only go as far as Middleton can take them via his personal Twitter account.
Milwaukee only goes so far with a healthy Khris Middleton.
17 points, including 6 down the stretch for Middleton in a win at Miami.
He is the X factor.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 29, 2023
Middleton hasn’t been the same since suffering multiple injuries, though recently he’s looked more healthy and it’s evidenced in his play.
The former All-Star scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds and two assists in just 23 minutes of action.
Middleton doesn’t need to be the second-best player on the team anymore because of Lillard’s presence on the floor, but he remains an integral part of the team’s identity on both ends of the floor because of his size, skill, and playmaking ability.
As of now, Middleton isn’t quite all the way back to his pre-injury form but this version of him could very well be enough for the Bucks to get back to the top.
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