Giannis: Middleton's big 4th quarter was 'greatness'
Giannis Antetokounmpo had nothing but praise for teammate Khris Middleton, who exploded for 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Milwaukee Bucks in a 113-102 win against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3.
"What I saw today was unbelievable. For me, it was greatness. Simple as that," Antetokounmpo told reporters postgame.
Middleton played the entire fourth quarter and shot 8-of-13 from the floor, including 4-of-6 from distance.
He's the first Bucks player in the last 25 years to record 20 points in the final frame of a postseason contest, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Antetokounmpo was impressed with Middleton's ability to lock in after committing a pair of turnovers early in the fourth.
"There's moments we know when to set screens for him. We know when he wants the ball. And that was the moment," Antetokounmpo said. "We were like, 'Get the hell out of the way. Give him the ball. Take us home, Khris.'"
Middleton tied a playoff career high with 38 points to go along with 11 boards and seven assists in 42 minutes. The 6-foot-7 forward struggled in the previous two contests of the Eastern Conference finals, shooting only 33.3% from the field and 12.5% from deep.
Milwaukee holds a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 on Tuesday.