The Milwaukee Bucks have finally returned home after a six-game road trip gradually went awry, especially out West.
Now 16-11 on the season and losers of their last three games, the Bucks have hit yet another skid, even as their road trip had gotten off to a promising start in Cleveland and in Denver.
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Even as things have gone downhill for the Bucks, all while being without one of the more indispensable players in Jrue Holiday, there was still some good to come out of the last week with improved performances from a few players.
Just as we did last week, let’s hand out our three stars for the week that was for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ first star of the week — Khris Middleton
While the Bucks dragged into their ongoing losing streak as they swung out West, Khris Middleton solidified his standing as the Bucks’ go-to ball handler with the game on the line late.
Middleton’s methodical shot creation served as the basis for the Bucks’ comeback victory against the Denver Nuggets last Monday where he finished with 29 points and a season-high 12 assists. Middleton followed that up with an 11 assist showing against the Phoenix Suns.
Middleton’s scoring efficiency dipped over the week after his banner game against the Nuggets, but the overall sentiment that emerged from that contest is notable. Middleton was relentless in attacking Nuggets wing Will Barton to get to his spots on the floor and to slow down Barton on the defensive side of the ball.
Middleton has long established himself as a deadeye scorer from all three levels of the floor, but what he’s shown this year in being able to take over games with the ball in his hands has been a major development. The patience and precision he has shown in making plays for others and his connection with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been critical to the Bucks’ crunch-time play.
At this point, it’s all about getting more experience and familiarity with these kind of situations for the two-time All-Star.