An incredible 20-point fourth quarter from Khris Middleton helped take the victory for Bucks, ended up with 38 points, a playoff career-high.
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After the Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals to the Atlanta Hawks, doubts started to creep in. But with back-to-back victories, they have officially retaken home-court advantage in the series. The Bucks won Game 3, courtesy Khris Middleton, 113-102 to take a 2-1 series lead over the Hawks. They are now two wins away from their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1974.
The Hawks led for most of the contest, but the Bucks rallied behind an incredible 20-point fourth quarter from Khris Middleton to take the victory. He ended up with 38 total points, a playoff career-high, and that was enough for the Bucks.
Trae hits a logo 3 over Giannis ? pic.twitter.com/eKaKODRkRZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 28, 2021
On the other side, another stellar outing for Trae Young. He ended up with a team-high 35points. Danilo Gallinari made significant contributions with 18 points, but the rest of the Hawks roster were utterly poor.
On Sunday, it was his best outing of the postseason yet. He caught fire in Game 3, ended up with 38 points to his name. Meanwhile, the Bucks scored 30 points in the fourth quarter, in which Middleton had 20 of them. He made more three-pointers (six) than the rest of his teammates combined (five).
KHRIS MIDDLETON IS ON FIRE ?? pic.twitter.com/xA0EfqqNRh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 28, 2021
Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee’s third star shot 2 of 11 from the field. In Game 2, he scored 22 as Middleton struggled. That has been one of the stranger trends of this postseason. The Bucks can’t get their two secondary stars going at once, but thus far, they haven’t needed them to. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been so consistently excellent that as long as the Bucks have one of their other two leaders going, they can generate enough offense to win. Giannis scored 33 points in game 3.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has been the breakout star of this postseason, but in Game 3, he sprained his ankle in one of the strangest ways possible.
Late in the third quarter, Young was along the side-line and tried to throw a pass that was deflected by Jrue Holiday. As he turned to try and run back on defense, Young stepped back right onto the referee’s foot. He sprained his ankle in the process and stayed down until play was stopped.
Trae Young heads to the locker room with an apparent ankle injury
Prayers up ? pic.twitter.com/KqbwUuUHMr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 28, 2021
With his quickness, playmaking and ability to score at all three levels, Young has been the driving force behind the Hawks’ surprise success. Heading into Game 3, he had either scored or assisted on 50.5 percent of the Hawks’ made field goals.
Young’s confidence and willingness to step up in big moments has been an integral part of the Hawks’ success.
The Bucks will try to take a commanding 3-1 lead on Tuesday, when the Hawks host them yet again in Game 4.
