Milwaukee Bucks: What’s trending through the eighth week of the season

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a free throw in the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Fiserv Forum on February 28, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a free throw in the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Fiserv Forum on February 28, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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Feb 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Feb 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

Khris Middleton’s passing has been a rising trend for the Milwaukee Bucks.

It’s common knowledge that the Bucks have their Robin with Khris Middleton to Antetokounmpo’s Batman and the two-time All-Star has filled this valuable role of being the MVP’s long-standing sidekick the last eight years. Even placing Middleton in such a light still doesn’t properly the value that Middleton brings to this Bucks team, especially as a distributor.

Over the Bucks’ road trip, Middleton averaged 6.5 assists per game, which was helped by hitting double-digit assists in the Bucks’ win over the Nuggets and their loss to Phoenix. Those marks came with Middleton posting a 2.05 assist-to-turnover ratio as well, which slipped after Middleton logged five turnovers in their defeat to Oklahoma City.

Milwaukee has certainly relied more on Middleton with the ball in his hands while they have been without Holiday and it’s been greatly needed. That, in turn, has come as the Bucks have largely cut down on their miscues and hold a 13.4 turnover percentage on the season, the fifth-best mark in the league so far this season.

If this is how Middleton can elevate the Bucks’ offense, we can only imagine how he’ll be able to smoothly operate when Holiday returns back into the Bucks’ starting lineup.

We’ll be back again next week and see what emerges from the Bucks’ eight-game homestand that kicks off Tuesday night versus the Toronto Raptors.