Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: March 21 vs LA Clippers
By Adam McGee
Major key for Milwaukee – Keep Khris Middleton firing
After a 30-point night against the Cavaliers on Monday, the Bucks could certainly do with Khris Middleton’s three-point explosion from that contest extending into this game, and beyond for the remainder of the season.
While Middleton’s season has seen him put up career-high numbers in scoring, anyone who has watched closely will be completely aware that the former Texas A&M Aggie’s uncharacteristic inefficiency with his shot has left him less effective than in years past.
Middleton’s five three-point makes against Cleveland tied his single game season-high, and although it stands out as comfortably his best offensive showing of late, there have been quiet signs of resurgence for the 26-year-old of late.
Middleton is averaging 25.8 points per game on just below 60 percent from deep and three-point range over his last five games, while stretching out to a more significant sample still sees him averaging 19.6 points per game while shooting 40 percent from deep.
The defensive effort, or lack of it, will remain a major factor in Middleton’s overall effectiveness to the Bucks, but if he can be efficient at a sizable volume, the Middleton/Giannis Antetokounmpo two-punch will be very difficult for opponents to outlast.