Khris Middleton’s role for the Milwaukee Bucks may be different now from years before but for Damian Lillard, he still affects the game tremendously just like what he did in their win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
The team dominated their visitors from first to third quarter but managed to make a small rally in the fourth despite the absence of their top two players – Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Middleton, who is now coming off the bench, served as someone who steadied the ship.
For Lillard, K-Midd is like an extension of him on the floor and them playing together is good combination.
The pair combined for six points in the fourth quarter when Middleton set Lillard up for wide open shots.
You do the right thing, it usually comes back in your favor, especially when I’m on the floor with Khris. I think on our team, he’s another guy who sees the game the way I see the game – the read he makes, his ability to see the game, see a thing before it happened as it is developing – and I was just on the right end of it a few times in that fourth quarter.
Middleton finished the game with eight assists, the most from the Bucks. He also scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Lillard, meanwhile, had 25 points and four assists. This is the third straight game he’s scored 25 points and above.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has different take on Khris Middleton’s play
Being able to read the game means you have to slow it down in your mind.
Middleton does it well but his long-time teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo has a hilarious take about it.
The Greek Freak poked fun at Middleton’s slow movement, comparing him to a turtle.
He turned serious though and said that their system is designed to maximize the abilities of their players.
“It’s just a habit that we’ve formed as a team,” Antetokounmpo continued. “We know Khris is not gonna move as fast and when he’s trying to move fast, he’s a little bit faster than a turtle.
“So, we just have to, you know, kind of do the extra work for him, you know? Khris knows. He knows.”
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