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The Milwaukee Bucks’ Big 3 is down to the Big 2
#2 Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday will be counted on by the Milwaukee Bucks to do more than his usual share with Giannis Antetokounmpo likely sidelined for the foreseeable future. The 31-year-old played poorly during the first two rounds of the playoffs but has upped his game against Atlanta.
In the conference finals, he’s been averaging 20.0 points, 9.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He’s also shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three.
Unfortunately for Holiday, the Milwaukee Bucks will be asking for more from him from here on. He may need to score between 24 and 26 points on the regular before the series is over for them to have a chance at beating the Hawks.
#1 Khris Middleton
The single-most important player who needs to step up for the Milwaukee Bucks is none other than Khris Middleton. The nine-year veteran is one of the best mid-to long-range shooters in the league with a 3-point shooting average during the regular season of 41.4 percent. He consistently averages 20 points per game but he’s been somewhat of an enigma during these playoffs, particularly against the Hawks.
He’s only scored more than 20 points once in four games in the conference finals and that occurred in Game 3 when he erupted for 20 points in the third quarter, tying his playoff career-high of 38 for the game. Other than that, the Milwaukee Bucks forward had left the heavy lifting to his more celebrated teammate while he tallied only 15, 15 and 16 in the other three games.
For the Milwaukee Bucks to win Game 5 and any of the succeeding games in this series, Middleton will have to take on the persona of being “The Man” offensively. The quiet and unassuming two-time All-Star has to bring his A-game from tip-off to the final buzzer.
He can’t hide behind Antetokounmpo anymore and the spotlight will be on Middleton and his performances from here on. The Milwaukee Bucks still have a shot at winning the Eastern Conference Finals, but it all mostly depends on Middleton and what he does on the stage he’s on.
