Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from thrilling Game 3 win over Phoenix Suns

Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton come to life in Game 3 win over Phoenix Suns

Among the biggest storylines that were talking points following the first two games for the Bucks was the minimal contributions from Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton. The pair had been rather lackluster on the road, but with the team needing them to keep their hopes alive back on their home floor, they stepped up significantly.

Holiday was fantastic throughout on the offensive end, an area he particularly struggled with previously, by finishing as the team’s second-leading scorer with 21 points. The guard looked far more comfortable on the offensive end than he had before, shooting an efficient 8-of-14 from the floor and an eye-catching 5-of-10 from behind the arc. He would also facilitate the ball well by handing out nine assists, playing a massive part in Milwaukee’s key emphasis on ball movement to get the offense back on track.

Meanwhile, Middleton did not exactly flip the switch and dominate in Game 3 as he has done all throughout these playoffs, but he clocked in a solid effort. Milwaukee’s starting two-guard would tally 18 points, 7 rebounds, and six assists, doing some of everything to keep the wheels turning as the Bucks looked to remain in control of this game. The Bucks are still waiting for Middleton to find his offensive groove consistently in this series, but whether the swingman was scoring, facilitating, or playmaking, he had a massive impact in this win.

These two stepped up to aid Antetokounmpo and assure that this performance would not end in defeat like the previous one, and the team will undeniably need the pair to build some sustainable momentum from last night’s Game 3. The wheels for this team start turning far easier when shots are falling and the individual defense is more aggressive from Middleton and Holiday.