Both Milwaukee and Chris Middleton (201 cm, F) felt the gap in their one-two punch.
The Milwaukee Bucks lost 105-122 to the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the first round of the 2023-2024 NBA Playoff Eastern Conference at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on the 29th (Korea time). One win and three losses overall in the series. With one more loss, they have to finish the 2023-2024 season.
Milwaukee faced an unfavorable situation in its fourth game. Not only Yanis Antetokounmpo (211 centimeters, F), who used to be an ace, but also Damian Lillard (188 centimeters, G), who remains an ace, is out due to Achilles tendon injury.
So, Middleton’s weight suddenly increased. Middleton was a swing man who averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 3-pointers per game in the 2023-2024 regular season. Rather than a main option, he was a player who took advantage of the derivative option of a one-two punch.
However, as I mentioned earlier, both of them left due to injury. Middleton himself had to lead the flow. For this reason, he averaged 26.7 points and 8.3 rebounds (attack 1.3) 5.0 assists through Game 3 of the playoffs.
Milwaukee and Middleton led 12-8 without a one-two punch. Still, they were shaken by Indiana’s fast pace and external attack. They allowed the tying run (14-14) at 5:59 into the game.
Middleton had to change the atmosphere. Middleton seemed to know this, too. After breaking through, the mid-range floater subdued Indiana for a while.
He also led a foul free throw from Andrew Nembard (193 cm, G). However, even his teammate Bobby Portis (208 cm, F) was ejected for accumulating technical fouls just 6 minutes and 59 seconds into the game. As a result, Middleton was even more lonely.
Nevertheless, Middleton did his bit as an alternate No. 1 option. While immersed in the organic flow, he accumulated points with concise judgments and passes. Thanks to this, Milwaukee was able to take a 26-24 lead two minutes and 48 seconds before the end of the first quarter. A 26-24 lead, Milwaukee called Middleton to the bench.
However, Milwaukee was outrebounded 31-33 15 seconds before the end of the first quarter. Then, 6.1 seconds before the end of the first quarter, Middleton was re-injected. Middleton acted as the bait, and Pat Cornerton (196 cm, G) scored with a reverse layup. As a result, the score was tied 33-33.
Middleton led the offense for 2 minutes and 30 seconds into the second quarter. He added a jab step and pass near the free throw line to help Danilo Gallinelli (208 centimeters, F) score, and made a basket count by momentarily breaking through and physical fight.
However, Middleton was the only one to release the offense. Nevertheless, Middleton served as the first option, including an offensive assembly and a jumper. Milwaukee also did well, 64-67.
However, Milwaukee’s power drastically dropped in the third quarter. The energy of offense and defense drastically decreased. As a result, the team fell behind to a double-digit deficit (66-76) in the second minute and 10 seconds into the third quarter. In crisis, the team called for a timeout.
Milwaukee seemed to set the tone for the chase, but Middleton fouled for the fourth time 4:18 into the third quarter. Foul trouble. Both offense and defense could have shrunk.
After that, Milwaukee lost control of Myles Turner (211 cm, F/C). It also failed to prevent offense derived from Pascal Siakam (203 cm, F). After failing to defend, Milwaukee finished the third quarter 85-98.
Middleton, however, made a layup during the first attack in the fourth quarter. Brook Lopez (216 cm, C) scored five consecutive points after that. Milwaukee made it 92-98 at 1:25 into the fourth quarter. Middleton’s first point in the fourth quarter marked the beginning of Milwaukee’s upward trajectory.
Still, Milwaukee couldn’t stop Turner once more. Despite Middleton’s free throw counterattack, Milwaukee fell to 101-114 with 4:13 left in the game. It ended up losing for the third time in the series. Middleton had 25 points and 10 rebounds (attack 1) and one steal from five assists in 39 minutes and 51 seconds, but he had to feel the gap between Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
BY: 토토사이트 순위