Bucks Zone

Khris Middleton believes his team can compete with the best in the league

‘We just have to play our best basketball.’

Jonas Panerio

© Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks got a taste of the new-look Boston Celtics on Wednesday night and lost 119-116. The Bucks trailed by as much as 21 in the first half but battled back late before eventually succumbing to a Celtics squad that bolstered their roster with All-Stars Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.

Despite the loss, Bucks wingman Khris Middleton said the match provided them with enough confidence to believe they can compete against the best teams in the league.

Play consistent basketball

Any roster with two players who are members of the league’s 75th-anniversary team can go toe to toe with any squad in the NBA. Middleton, though, explained that they must play consistent basketball to follow through on their goal of bringing another NBA title to the city of Milwaukee.

“We can compete with the best of ‘em; we just have to play our best basketball,” Middleton said.

One point Middleton emphasized is the need to get off to better starts. Against the Celtics, the Bucks played like they were in a haze and paid dearly for it, falling behind 10-0.

“You see, against any team, if you start slow, it’s hard to play catch up the whole game. But, throughout the game, I thought we played through a lot of rough stretches where we were still there. Our defense helped in the game, and eventually, our offense caught up to us,” Middleton said.

Lots of good stuff to take from the game

Echoing his teammate’s point, big man Brook Lopez vowed the Bucks would be a much better squad moving forward, thanks to this loss to their rivals.

“It was good for us to see. They started off super hot. Us, not. But again, there was lots of good stuff to take away from it. We will be a different team at the end of the season in April. They will as well, I’m sure,” Lopez, who scored 28 points versus the Celtics, shared.

“And if we’re going to complete our goal of winning a championship, we’re obviously going to have to meet up with them at some point. They’re a very talented team; they have the same aspirations. So, you know, as long as we take care of business, keep improving game in, game out, I’m sure we’ll run into them, and we’ll see what it’s like then.”

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO