3 takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks’ solid win against Sacramento Kings

Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday ensured that the Milwaukee Bucks would get this win as they played incredibly

More responsibility fell onto the shoulders of Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday in this one as they braced to play without Antetokounmpo. The Bucks needed them to be the All-Star caliber players that they are, and both did just that as they clocked in phenomenal performances.

Middleton looked like a surefire All-Star from start to finish against the Kings. The forward scored 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting, which included a season-high-tying five made 3-pointers. When the Bucks needed a bucket late, they went to the ever-clutch Middleton, who scored nine points in the final five minutes of the contest to lead Milwaukee to a win. When he was not scoring, he was facilitating the basketball, having dished out five assists. Better yet, he tallied just two turnovers in this game, something that has been a concern for him lately.

Meanwhile, Holiday earned his first start since returning from his recent string of absences due to his ankle soreness, and he made the most of it. He scored 26 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor, doing some of everything as he bullied his way to the hoop and also hit several jumpers to keep the Kings guessing. His robust defense also helped as Holiday hounded Sacramento’s guards all night long. It looks like Holiday is certainly back up to speed after that nagging ankle limited him for an extended period.

Perhaps a combined 60 points from Middleton and Holiday will be enough to help them both with a last-second All-Star push.

The Bucks will be back in action Wednesday as they take on the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers on Bally Sports Wisconsin. Be sure to catch the action at 6:00 p.m. CST.