Bucks Zone

"We have to do it by committee" - Khris Middleton talks about the Milwaukee Bucks' effort in a crucial Game 2 win

The Bucks had 35 assists and seven players scoring in twin digits in Game 2.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

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Milwaukee Bucks

With their main man out, the Milwaukee Bucks required a team effort to avoid falling to a concerning 0-2 hole in their first-round playoffs with the Miami Heat.

The Bucks played as a team and had a balanced attack propel them to a series-tying 138-122 win over the Miami Heat in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series on Wednesday night.

The Bucks overcame the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo behind a solid team effort that saw Milwaukee record 35 assists, leading to seven Milwaukee players scoring in double figures. The Heat only had 26 assists.

A "Milwaukee Buck" mentality

"Everyone's ready," Brook Lopez said. "Everyone has the right mentality coming into the game - the mentality it takes to be a Milwaukee Buck. There's no one above anyone else. We're just out there trying to win."

Lopez topped the Bucks with 25 points, but he was the only starter who did not hit a single three-pointer.

Jrue Holiday scored 24, and Pat Connaughton added a playoff career-high 22 points after not seeing action in Game 1.

Jog Ingles contributed 17 points, Khris Middleton and Grayson Allen each had 16, while Bobby Portis Jr. added 13.

Portis Jr. and Holiday recorded doubles-doubles, with the Bobby adding 15 boards and Jrue tallying 11 assists.

Playing as one

In the crucial win, the Bucks tied the most three-point made in a game with 25 as Connaughton fired six triples, Ingles had five, Holiday and Allen each had four, Portis nailed three, and Middleton had two.

Middleton said it was incumbent upon them to play as a team with Antetokounmpo sitting out after injuring his back in Game 1.

"It takes the whole team," Middleton said. "I think you saw that tonight. It wasn't just one guy that carried us. A lot of people expect me or Jrue to take on all the load that Giannis does, but what he does, we can't match. So we have to do it by committee."

The series will shift to Miami for Games 3 and 4. It remains uncertain if Giannis will be able to suit up in Game 3. But the way they played in Game 2, the Bucks, with or without Giannis, are not going to be easy to beat.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.