Eight Khris Middleton shots, seven Khris Middleton makes.
It happened during a dominant four-minute scoring flurry in the fourth quarter in which the Milwaukee Bucks turned a seven-point deficit into a seven-point lead on the deft shooting touch of their quiet, unassuming star guard.
Middleton scored 20 of a playoff career-high 38 points in the fourth quarter, and the Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 113-102, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.
It was the work of precision artist.
“Greatness,” Bucks All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “What I saw today was unbelievable. He was freaking unbelievable. Carried the team at the end.”
Middleton made 15-of-26 shots, including 6-of-12 3-pointers, and had 11 rebounds and seven assists.
He is the only Bucks player in the past 25 postseasons to score at least 20 points in the fourth quarter.
“It feels good, I will say that,” Middleton said. “Our team is so unselfish, if anybody has it going, the ball goes to them. Some games it’s me, some games it’s Giannis, some games it’s Jrue (Holiday).