Bucks force Game 7 against Nets off Middleton’s scoring spree

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t going home.

After a stellar offensive display from Khris Middleton, the Bucks took care of business on their home court and outlasted the Brooklyn Nets, 104-89, to force a do-or-die Game 7 in their Eastern Conference semifinals duel.

Middleton led the Bucks and went unconscious from the field after only missing five shots in his 16 attempts to finish Game 6 with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.

One of the major turnarounds of this Game 6 tug-of-war was when Giannis Antetokounmpo decided to cut his jump-shot attempts, opting for point-blank shots in the paint.

During the last five games of the series, Antetokounmpo settled for the three-point line and averaged four attempts per game.

However, in Game 6, the superstar from Greece attacked the paint relentlessly and did not settle for perimeter shots to help the Bucks maintain their double-digit lead and finished the critical game with 30 points, 17 rebounds, and three dimes.

Kevin Durant tried to answer every Milwaukee basket but the pesky PJ Tucker was all over him and forced several turnovers during isolation calls.

Meanwhile, James Harden continued to struggle from the field and only managed to score 16 points while Durant had 32.

Jeff Green, who was red hot in their Game 5 win, was shut down and only scored five points while grabbing six rebounds.

Coach Steve Nash and Mike Budenholzer will extend their clash back to Brooklyn in Game 7 where the winner will advance to the Eastern Conference finals.