For the first time this season, it was Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton who closed out the win for the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo, of course, was up to his usual antics in Milwaukee’s 131-124 victory over the Miami Heat, but in the end, it was Dame and Middleton who delivered the knockout blows.
Milwaukee Bucks’ New Star Duo
Damian Lillard started things off with a couple of clutch three-pointers down the stretch for the Bucks. Middleton then followed that up with two crucial jumpers that allowed Milwaukee to get some much-needed separation against an unwavering Miami side.
After the win, Lillard spoke openly about his connection with Middleton — one that was on display for the first time in Milwaukee’s big win over the Heat on Tuesday:
“That was the first time me and him were communicating the way we did down the stretch,” Lillard said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “‘You bring it. I’ll be in the action.’ And ‘If I come off, I’m gonna throw it ahead to you.’ You know, ‘Dame, just fight for a catch. You bring it. We need you to initiate.’ There was a lot of dialogue there to close the game.
“And I think moments like that are necessary. We gotta have that because he’s a guy that can do like he did tonight. And for me, as soon as I see the time start going down under three or four minutes, I’m shifting and I’m going to get ’em. So, it was great to have that interaction and that back and forth with him.”
Giannis and Lillard have been making strides in terms of their superstar partnership for the Bucks. However, once Dame and Middleton are also able to find themselves on the same page, it’s going to be even tougher for the rest of the league to figure Milwaukee out.
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