With their backs against the wall, the Milwaukee Bucks delivered an all-time memorable playoff performance against the Brooklyn Nets in Game 3.
However, despite ultimately coming out on top with a much-needed 86-83 victory to keep their postseason hopes alive, this contest was far from memorable for the Bucks in a good way. Despite such a promising start to kick things off, this game quickly turned into arguably the ugliest contest Milwaukee has played all season leading up to this point.
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After the first 12 minutes, it appeared that the Bucks were in the driver’s seat for this one as they held a 30-11 lead. This team came out with the sense of urgency that they lacked throughout the first two games and it looked like they had finally turned a corner.
Yet, that lead quickly fizzled as the Nets battled their way back into the game and eventually took the lead several times in the second half in this down to the wire finish.
However, as long as they get the victory, this team will take it as their playoff hopes remain intact as they trail 2-1 in this best of seven series. With that being said, here are three takeaways from last night’s thrilling Game 3 matchup against the Nets.
Jrue Holiday delivers in the clutch for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 victory
While he was undoubtedly not alone in the crowd of bad performances for the Bucks last night, Jrue Holiday’s effort stood out.
The guard was horrendous on the offensive end throughout the game, struggling to get anything to drop with any consistency. Missing his often automatic jumpers, 3-pointers, and even a few chip shots, Holiday looked like a liability trying to score the basketball for most of the night. Despite how awful he had played offensively to that point, Holiday did not let those struggles rattle his confidence with his team trailing 83-82 late in the game by taking it strong to the basket and scored with 11.4 seconds left.
Putting the Bucks up by one point, Holiday’s bucket proved to be a game-winner as Milwaukee would fend off a last-second effort from Brooklyn to win this one. It is not a stretch to say that Holiday just saved the Bucks’ entire season with that shot last night, and he deserves praise for sticking with it despite his struggles all through the night.
Following his 45-and-a-half minutes played, Holiday finished with a line of nine points, four rebounds, and five assists. Shooting just 4-of-14 from the field, including 1-of-4 from 3-point range, the guard made it count when the Bucks needed him most in the clutch.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets go cold offensively in Game 3
Milwaukee and Brooklyn were the two best offensive teams in the association during the regular season, but anyone who watched that game last night would not believe it.
With neither team crossing 90 points, it was unquestionably a low-scoring affair. Both teams struggled mightily on the offensive end to get anything to fall, each club finishing well short of 40 percent shooting from the floor. The Bucks’ high-powered offense was nowhere to be found as they knocked down just 37.8 percent of their field goals, while the Nets were just below that mark by connecting on 36.2 percent of their own.
A massive factor in this struggle was just how poorly each team shot from behind the arc, which has been a common theme in this series on Milwaukee’s end. The Bucks continued their brutal shootings stretch as they were just 6-for-31 from deep. Khris Middleton proved to be a lifeline from long range as he chipped in three of those six triples to give the team a needed lift. More on his bountiful contributions in a minute.
Meanwhile, the Nets were just a tick better themselves by shooting 8-for-32 with Kevin Durant knocking down three of those by himself. Brooklyn had been red-hot from 3-point territory throughout the first two games, both victories for them, but they cooled off significantly in this contest that was just a night where neither team could find any rhythm offensively.
Thanks to Holiday’s finish in the closing seconds and Durant’s game-tying 3-point attempt soon after just missing the mark, the Bucks overcame these shooting issues. Yet, they could not have done it without their two stars taking this game by the horns.
Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a Game 3 victory
It was clear following the first quarter that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton would take over this game. They had split the 30-point total at 15 apiece to finish as the only Bucks to score a basket in the first 12 minutes played. They continued that assertiveness throughout the remainder of the game as these two left it all on the floor last night.
Middleton was the unsung hero as he finished with 35 points on 12-of-25 shooting from the floor while hauling in 15 rebounds. After shooting just 13-of-43 over the first two games, the forward seemingly flipped the switch as he took this game over. Putting the Bucks up by three with just a few seconds left after knocking down a pair of clutch free throws, Middleton had himself a bounce-back night that the world had been waiting for.
On the other hand, Antetokounmpo’s night was far more puzzling, although he also dominated by finishing with 33 points on 14-of-31 field goal shooting while grabbing 14 rebounds. Although he managed to put his share of points on the board, they were scarce from the perimeter, where the Greek Freak shot just 1-of-8 for the night. While the one that he made proved clutch in the end, it was brutal watching him continuously heave these shots when they are clearly not his forte. Furthermore, it was yet another poor showing from the dreaded free throw line, where Giannis was 4-of-9 on the night. Lastly, he finished with five turnovers in the contest as they continue piling up for him.
However, these struggles can be momentarily forgiven with the win. While Antetokounmpo easing off on the attempts from distance might be beneficial moving forward, everything worked out this time. With the pressure still aimed at these two, they must keep their foot on the gas.
The Bucks will aim to tie up the series against the Nets with another critical matchup this Sunday. It should be another thrilling game and you can catch the action at 2:00 p.m. CST on ABC.