3 keys for Milwaukee Bucks in pivotal matchup vs Philadelphia 76ers

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 17 (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 17 (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Milwaukee Bucks: Khris Middleton. Philadelphia 76ers: Tobias Harris
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 17: (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Khris Middleton will need a bounce-back game for the Milwaukee Bucks

I was intending this to be in regards to his last game against the Sixers, where he went 2-of-12 from 3 before the break and many folks roasted his performance. He also struggled last time out against the Memphis Grizzlies, shooting 5-of-16 with five turnovers in that blowout loss so this works two ways.

I have been resolute in my belief of Middleton when he was struggling earlier in the season and then going into the break. I’ve written several times that his style of play lends itself to rough stretches because of the tough shots that he takes and that there isn’t much reason to be concerned about him.

Still, he had a rough game against the Sixers the last time he played them so this is a chance for him to rebound and get back to the groove he was in before his one bad outing against the Grizzlies.

Outside of one guy, there isn’t really anyone on the Sixers that concerns me in a one-on-one matchup for Middleton to get his shot. Harden, Maxey, and Danny Green are all smaller than him and that’s when he thrives.

The one guy who has seemingly given Middleton problems is Tobias Harris. Between this season and last season, Middleton has gone 5-of-21 against Harris, including 0-of-9 from 3.

It makes some sense as Harris is 6’8″, 226 pounds, and pretty strong so Middleton can’t get to his spots as easily. I’m interested to see if they try to get Middleton matched up on Maxey or Green as much as possible to get easier looks for him.