3 Things the Bucks must do to secure Game 5 against Pacers
By Corey Moen
Khris Middleton needs to have the game of his life for the Bucks
This is what the Milwaukee Bucks season come down to.
Khris Middleton, who's been known to come up big when Milwaukee needs him the most, will need to do it again in Game 5.
Middleton somehow has fought through a sprained ankle and a knee injury to almost give Milwaukee a 2-1 series lead in Game 3.
All of this is contingent on Middleton staying healthy throughout the game, and that's a massive risk, considering Middleton has hobbled back to the bench the last two games.
Middleton has come through before. In Game 4 of the 2020 Eastern Conference semifinals against Miami, Middleton scored 36 points in a 118-115 overtime victory after Giannis Antetokounmpo only played 11 minutes in that game with a sprained ankle.
It's not a question of whether Middleton is up to the task; it's a question of whether his body will allow him to be like the player he was in 2021.
Bucks fans are hoping for 2021 Khris Middleton to return, but he's so far removed from being that guy again. He's shown flashes and shot-making ability, but without Giannis, Middleton can't win the series alone.
It'll be interesting to see if Middleton can indeed rise to the occasion Game 5 on Tuesday night.