Behind the Bucks Pass
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 103-100 loss to Utah Jazz

By Jordan Treske

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 8: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz shoots a three-pointer to win the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 8, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 8: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz shoots a three-pointer to win the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 8, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 08: (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 08: (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Middleton’s not money

No Bucks player will garner more scrutiny due to Friday night’s outcome than All-Star swingman Khris Middleton.

Of course, Middleton was directly at the center of the Bucks’ fateful collapse in the final two plays of the game, the first being his decision to pass up what certainly would have been a blocked three-point attempt by Rudy Gobert in the corner and his late closeout on Bojan Bogdanovic’s game-winning triple.

Those two plays served as a fitting cap to Middleton’s erratic performance for the night where he finished with 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting from the field (5-for-8 from three-point range, 5-for-5 from the free throw line), 11 rebounds, three turnovers and was a +4 in over 37 and a half minutes of burn.

It certainly washed away the two clutch free throws Middleton hit to stunningly tie the game at 100 with eight seconds to go in the fourth. And while Middleton’s three-point shooting was by far the highlight of his performance, his work inside the arc left a lot to be desired, even considering it was going one of the league’s best defensive units.

Middleton’s play on the Bucks’ current road trip, more so their last two games against Western Conference title contenders in the LA Clippers and now the Jazz, have dampened what has been an otherwise promising start to the season for the 28-year-old.

It’s certainly not controversial to say that Middleton’s miscast in the closer role as he was tasked with in the final seconds, especially when there’s no Antetokounmpo on the floor to draw the attention from opposing defenses. And the looks that keep being drawn up for Middleton in those situations continue to be rather predictable, all things considered.

It’s a tough spot to evaluate all around and there will surely be better nights ahead for Middleton. But seeing Middleton stumble, in that manner especially, only raises uncomfortable questions regarding the Bucks’ supporting cast and being able to raise their game in highly pressurized situations.

Home/Bucks News