Bucks Zone

Khris Middleton turns in another brilliant endgame performance in Milwaukee’s win over Houston

Khris simply knows how to close out games.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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Khris Middleton returned from a one-game absence and once again did what he does best: deliver the finishing touches.

Middleton provided the needed endgame spark that helped the Milwaukee Bucks complete a 128-119 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

Khris, who sat out Milwaukee's 146-114 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night, scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth period, delivering crucial baskets when the pesky Rockets refused to go away.

Khris doing Khris things

After trailing by as many as 14 points, Houston threatened to within three, 106-109, with still 5:56 left.

Middleton then hit a three-pointer to make it a six-point game, and after Dillon Brooks hit two free throws that cut Milwaukee's lead to four, he assisted Damian Lillard for a three-pointer, restoring a seven-point Bucks lead, 115-108, with 4:53 to go.

Being a fourth-quarter man is something that Middleton does best, Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin pointed out.

"Khris does this all the time, where he just settles us down where we need a basket, and he goes and gets us a bucket," Griffin said. "Sometimes he scores, and sometimes it's an assist, but the fourth quarter is usually when Khris is at his best."

Khris' veteran smarts a key for Milwaukee

Middleton is still under a minute restriction after undergoing a knee procedure in the offseason. He played 29 minutes against the Rockets and also had three rebounds and two assists.

Middleton is averaging 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in the 20 games he has played this season.

Milwaukee can always turn to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard for points, but Khris is equally dependable, especially in critical stretches of the contest.

"He's a veteran guy, and veterans, you can't speed them up. They get to their spots, they create a little space to get their shot off, and obviously, he's a lead at that," Griffin said. 

What we learned from the Milwaukee Bucks-Houston Rockets game

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.