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Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways From Win Over Philadelphia 76ers

By Ti Windisch

Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles as guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) blocks Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles as guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) blocks Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton (22) and Chicago Bulls guard Justin Holiday (7) go after a loose ball during the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton (22) and Chicago Bulls guard Justin Holiday (7) go after a loose ball during the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dynamic Duo

Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo get along so well on the basketball court. These two definitely missed playing with each other while Middleton was injured, and the Bucks have very clearly missed having Middleton around.

Milwaukee is 6-4 in games Middleton has played, and 4-0 in his four starts thus far this season. Correlation doesn’t always equal causation, but there’s no question that having Middleton around has changed a lot for the Bucks.

The most important thing actually is not his shooting, nor is it his defense. Middleton can serve as a secondary ball-handler, another option the Bucks have who can make his own shot, find a shot for a teammate or sink open looks.

Having three true playmakers on the floor in Giannis, Khris and Malcolm Brogdon now makes it incredibly hard to defend the Bucks. There are a variety of ways any of those guys can score, and nobody has enough talented defenders to handle them all without helping out sometimes.

That’s when offense gets fun for Milwaukee. Middleton is allowing that to happen, and his presence in the lineup might spark a playoff run for these young Bucks.

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