Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. We are now in the Conference Finals!
Khris Middleton tied his playoff career-best to lead the Bucks to a 2-1 series advantage.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Brynn Anderson/AP.)
Khris Middleton has continued to be underrated throughout his career. Even when he’s had big playoff games in the past. And after Sunday, he’ll probably continue to be under the radar.
But I’m sure Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks appreciate him.
Middleton scored 20 points in the fourth quarter. He had 17 in that game-ending 25-7 Bucks run as they took a 2-1 series lead.
He kept making shot after shot after shot against the plucky Atlanta Hawks team. Even though Trae Young got hurt (by stepping on a referee’s foot, no less), the Hawks still showed some moxie against the Bucks. But Khris came in and set fire to the rain.
I mean, Giannis did his usual. He scored 33 points and grabbed 11 boards. Of course, he’s the straw that stirs the drink. Or whatever analogy you want to use about keeping the team running. But Middleton going 4 for 6 from deep in the fourth really gave Milwaukee that edge.
Trae Young got hurt late in the third and his ankle injury really limited his explosiveness and speed. Still, the Hawks led by 7 in the fourth with some inspired play by Danilo Gallinari and Onyeka Okongwu. But that was really where the Bucks stopped the Hawks as Khris Middleton did his thing. Trae had 32 points going into the fourth quarter, too. But any further damage by Trae couldn’t be done because a referee was at the right place at the wrong time.
Trae is questionable for Game 4 but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t play. Either way, Milwaukee is back to where they were two years ago when they were two wins away from the NBA Finals.
Maybe this time, things will be different.
Bullet Passes
For a league that claims to be progressive, it’s discouraging to see hires like Chauncey Billups and Jason Kidd.
I feel for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. This is not great for their plight.
And yes, I believe in second chances. After all, they are human beings. But it’s also notable that we haven’t seen either individual be contrite.
Neither hire is being received well but I really see the pain in Blazers fans. The thing is we saw the Blazers organization try really hard to go away from the Jail Blazers era and now we’re getting this. It’s easy to pin the blame on Damian Lillard but he’s not the one hiring the coaches. And no, he’s definitely not helping.
We’ll see what happens in the next few days. In the meantime, I’m still hoping women like Kara Lawson, Dawn Staley, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Becky Hammon get hired by an NBA team for a head coaching gig.
I saw these discussions on social media AND on the tube about Khris Middleton being Batman and Giannis being Robin. Dude, a lot of these guys suck at discussing basketball, including professional basketball players.
Also, respectfully, I wish Scottie Pippen would stop talking.
Meanwhile, it seems that the Bucks have a (new?) fan in Sheryl Crow.
37 points!!! Khris Middleton is killing it!! #khashmoney @Khris22m #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/t3rkrNCZX2
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) June 28, 2021
All she wants to do is have some fun, right?
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
June 27, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#3 Bucks lead #5 Hawks, 2-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #1 Sixers, 4-3.
#3 Bucks defeat #2 Nets, 4-3.
#1 Sixers defeat #8 Wizards, 4-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #4 Knicks, 4-1.
#2 Nets defeat #7 Celtics, 4-1.
#3 Bucks defeat #6 Heat, 4-0.
WEST
#2 Suns lead #4 Clippers, 3-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #1 Jazz, 4-2.
#2 Suns defeat #3 Nuggets, 4-0.
#1 Jazz defeat #8 Grizzlies, 4-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #5 Mavericks, 4-3.
#2 Suns defeat #7 Lakers, 4-2.
#3 Nuggets defeat #6 Blazers, 4-2.
Watch This Play
Look at this length by Giannis. My goodness.
OH. MY. GIANNIS. pic.twitter.com/TxzUStoWcU
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 28, 2021
Meanwhile, we’re switching to the West for tonight as there is a possibility of a team going to the NBA Finals. We shall see.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.