Milwaukee Bucks: Grades from 116-92 Game 3 win over Boston Celtics

B. This was Eric Bledsoe’s best game of the series by a comfortable margin, but the Bucks will still be hoping for more from their starting point guard. Bledsoe’s defense was improved significantly and he was making his shots. The one concern would be that those shots weren’t always all that easy. Bledsoe’s liking for mid-range jumpers is well-documented at this point, but it’s not always the best way for him to exert his influence on a game. On Friday, Bledsoe worked hard for 17 points on 8-of-13 from the field. He could have things a lot easier if he got downhill toward the rim, as he did on just a couple of occasions in this one. Bledsoe’s drives create opportunities for him to score for himself, pass out to a teammate or get to the free throw line. This was much better and hopefully provides a welcome confidence boost, but there’s still plenty of room for Bledsoe to play even better.. Guard. Milwaukee Bucks. ERIC BLEDSOE

C. <a rel=. Guard. Milwaukee Bucks. MALCOLM BROGDON

A+. Khris Middleton was outstanding, once again. In what’s arguably been the best run of games of his career to date, Middleton has been at the peak of his powers. Not only has Middleton been displaying elite shot-making combined with defense that has been greatly been improved from the regular season, but he’s been making the correct decision close to every time down the floor. On top of an outstanding 23 points and eight rebounds, Middleton dished out seven assists. The timing of those dimes early in the game was impeccable. Middleton connected perfectly with Giannis on an alley-oop that really awoke the crowd. He followed that up with another alley-oop assist that kickstarted Jabari’s night offensively, and perhaps aware of his teammate’s need for a confidence boost, he quickly found Parker for another simple finish. That’s essentially what has made Middleton’s playoff play so impressive. He’s producing at an elite level individually, but he’s also doing more than any other Buck to tie things together and get teammates going. Long may it continue.. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks. KHRIS MIDDLETON

B+. Giannis Antetokounmpo played really well on Friday without this game ever really becoming one of his most dominant showings. Importantly, his teammates ensured it never really had to be. The Celtics really looked to pack the paint on Giannis early, but Antetokounmpo made the right plays in passing out, and that set up a red-hot three-point shooting night for Milwaukee. When needed to step up Antetokounmpo was there, with all facets of his game up to the task with the exception of some cheap fouls. Most notably, Antetokounmpo produced the highlight of the night with a breathtaking dunk over <a href=. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO

Milwaukee Bucks. TYLER ZELLER. C. <a rel=. Center