Milwaukee Bucks: Keys to victory for pivotal Game 4 versus Atlanta Hawks

The Milwaukee Bucks need another stellar road performance from Khris Middleton in Game 3 versus Atlanta Hawks

Khris Middleton has been having a stellar playoff run for the Bucks thus far, but his numbers when playing at Fiserv Forum versus on the road are quite different.

When playing at home, Middleton is averaging 23.7 points while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range. On the road, those numbers regress to 22.6 points while shooting 40.3 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from the perimeter. That disparity in percentages was a looming problem for the Bucks despite advancing this far, but Milwaukee’s starting shooting guard finally snapped out of his road struggles with a heroic performance in Sunday’s Game 3 victory.

Middleton tied his playoff career-high with 38 points on 15-of-26 shooting, including 6-of-12 from distance. That included scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter alone, which was three more than the Hawks collectively scored as this late push elevated the Bucks to victory. For whatever reason, Middleton just flipped the switch after he started the game off slow and took this game over for Milwaukee to clock in another fantastic performance.

Yet, he cannot stop at just one with tonight’s Game 4 set to tip-off in Atlanta. Middleton must use this newfound momentum from a historic performance to keep the efficient scoring rolling and not fall back into his previous slump. Something about playing away from home has impacted his overall efficiency, and he must break the curse once more.

After an eventful three-game stretch, there will undoubtedly be more fireworks in tonight’s pivotal Game 4 between the Bucks and Hawks. Be sure to catch the action at 7:30 p.m. CST on TNT.