The problems for the Hawks could be compounded by an ankle injury suffered in the third quarter by their star, Trae Young.
With a huge last quarter of 20 points, Khris Middleton commanded the triumph of Sunday of the Milwaukee Bucks 113-102 on the court of the Atlanta Hawks with which they advance 2-1 in this final of the NBA Eastern conference.
The problems for Hawks could be increased by the ankle injury suffered in the third quarter by its star, Bring young, which changed the pace of the game.
The point guard, who finished with 35 points and 6 3-pointers, returned to the court in the fourth quarter but was unable to resume his fierce scoring pace as Middleton began his unstoppable display.
The guard added a total of 38 points and 11 rebounds, forming a devastating offensive duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 33 points and 11 rebounds.
Middleton Y Antetokounmpo they are the first pair of teammates to each achieve more than 30 points and 11 rebounds in three games of the same playoffs.
The Hawks, the great surprise of these playoffs after eliminating the Philadelphia 76ers, the best team in the East, will try to equalize the tie in the fourth game on Tuesday again in Atlanta.
It’s tough, they are a great team. Not many people were expecting them here at this point in the season but they are up for something. They are really talented, “he acknowledged. Middleton.
After being bullied on Friday in Milwaukee by 34 points, the Hawks they started the game like an arrow to a 25-8 run. After a nightmare night on Friday, well defended by Jrue Holiday, Bring young He was once again the daring and electric player who is marveling in the first playoffs of his career.
Young scored 14 points in the first quarter while the public was dedicated to pressuring Antetokounmpo every time he went to the free throw line.
Turned the State Farm Arena in a boil, the fans counted the seconds that the Greek took before making each launch and protesting when the 10 regulations were passed.
Free throws remain the great Achilles heel of the double NBA MVP (Most Valuable Player), who only scored 6 of 13 attempts. The Greek, facing his great opportunity to reach his first Finals, did not let the Hawks get the game back on track so soon.
Next to Middleton, the star of the Bucks He led the Hawks chase with a 19-7 run. The closing of the second quarter was an exchange of blows, with Bring young scoring a triple from the center logo and the backup guard Pat Connaughton nailing another to reach the break with a tie at 56.
“We didn’t get off to a good start but winning away is never supposed to be easy,” said the Bucks coach, Mike Budenholzer.
Trae Young’s injury
Around the locker room, the Hawks They returned to the charge with another acceleration commanded by Bring young, who continued to find clear positions to score from three, although this time without his characteristic and provocative gesture of shaking his shoulders before shooting.
Around the point guard, however, only the veteran Italian forward Danilo Gallinari (18 points) was fine-tuned in attack, on a dark night for the pivots John Collins (13) and Clint Capela (8).
The Bucks took the lead for the first time on the scoreboard (82-80) two minutes from the end of the third quarter, which Hawks ended with the scare in the body due to the injury of Young.
After committing a fumble near the touchline, the lightweight point guard took a step back and accidentally stepped on the foot of one of the umpires, spraining his right ankle.
In pain, the point guard retired to the locker room with 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter, when his team dominated by three points. Shortly after, the point guard returned to the bench and entered the court with nine minutes to play, but only managed to achieve a triple in the middle of the recital of Khris Middleton.
The escort usually takes responsibility at the decisive moments for the Bucks, To avoid Antetokounmpo is taken to the free throw line, and this Sunday he solved the game practically by himself.
With three triples and 15 points almost in a row, Middleton pushed the Bucks to an advantage enough for the Hawks to end up throwing in the towel and sitting Bring young Thinking about Tuesday’s game
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