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Khris Middleton says the Milwaukee Bucks eventually wore the scrappy Golden State Warriors down in the fourth quarter

Khris said the Bucks just had too much firepower down the stretch.
Jonas Panerio|
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Milwaukee BucksGolden State Warriors

The Milwaukee Bucks had their resolve tested by the scrappy Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday before coming away with a 129-118 victory. Despite having a complete roster and the Warriors not having superstar Steph Curry in theirs, the Bucks struggled to put away the plucky opponents until the game’s final minutes.

Playing at a great pace

With Curry in street clothes, the Dubs got robust numbers from Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, and Milwaukee native Brandon Podziemski, whose basket pulled Golden State to within six, 116-110, with 2:36 left. However, a basket by Brook Lopez and a reverse slam by Giannis Antetokounmpo put the game out of reach, as the Bucks pushed their lead to 120-110 lead with 1:42 to go.

Khris Middleton credited the Warriors for constantly pushing the pace. However, the Bucks’ veteran savvy eventually got them the win.

"They were just playing with a great pace," Middleton said.

"They know without Steph, they'll have to use each other, use the offense a little bit more, work the offense. And that's where I think we lagged a little bit the first quarter, second quarter, a little bit second half. We were able to make them work a little bit longer, understand there were going to be some tough or longer possessions, so we just had to get through screens and fight to guard the ball."

Finishing kick

Middleton played a massive role in the Bucks’ fourth-quarter explosion, with 13 points and five assists in that crucial stretch. Aside from timely shots, he also found his longtime teammate, Giannis, for some easy baskets that helped stem the tide in the face of the Warriors’ resilient play.

"Just reading the game," Khris said.

"Getting in the mid pick-and-roll with Brook (Lopez) or Giannis or whoever and just playing the game, finding spots where I could do damage."

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO