{"id":277409,"date":"2021-07-15T00:06:04","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T00:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yebscore.com\/news\/khris-middletons-40-lifts-bucks-over-devin-booker-suns\/"},"modified":"2021-07-16T03:36:53","modified_gmt":"2021-07-16T03:36:53","slug":"khris-middletons-40-lifts-bucks-over-devin-booker-suns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yebscore.com\/news\/khris-middletons-40-lifts-bucks-over-devin-booker-suns\/","title":{"rendered":"Khris Middleton’s 40 lifts Bucks over Devin Booker, Suns"},"content":{"rendered":"

MILWAUKEE<\/a> – Khris Middleton earned his nickname in Game 4 of the NBA Finals as “Cash Money” came up clutch in the biggest game of his life.<\/h1>\n

Following back-to-back 40-point efforts by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton emerged as the Bucks’ savior with a playoff-career high 40 to overshadow 42 points from Suns<\/a> guard Devin Booker. Giannis, whose block of Deandre Ayton kept the Bucks’ lead at four points with 1:15 to play<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

“Late in the fourth quarter, we just ran sets that enabled me to get to my spots,” Middleton said. “After that I’ve just got to make reads. Thankfully, I hit some shots.” <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Middleton scored 10 consecutive points and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a nine-point deficit to claim Game 4, 109-103, and tie the Phoenix Suns at 2-2 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Middleton made the money plays in the final two minutes with a freakish nod to Antetokounmpo, whose block of Deandre Ayton kept the Bucks’ lead at four points with 1:15 to play. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

For most of the night, only fouls stopped Booker. The Suns’ top scorer scored 42 points despite being dogged most of the second half by foul trouble. Booker’s effort was his ninth game in these playoffs over 30 points.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Phoenix shot 51.3 percent from the field and held the Bucks to 40.2 percent shooting.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

It was Booker who lobbed the ball to Ayton on Antetokounmpo’s amazing defensive play. The pass carried well wide of the rim and Ayton didn’t collect it cleanly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

“Just a hustle play,” Antetokounmpo said. “Going down the stretch – do whatever it takes to win the game. I saw the play coming. I was there in time, was able to get a good block and go down and get two points.” <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Suns head coach Monty Williams believes Booker would have hit for 50 points if Phoenix eliminated “even five” of its 15 turnovers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

“He’s hitting contested, tough shots,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said of Booker’s Game 4 showing. “I think we’ve just got to keep making him work for everything. Maybe we’re able get a couple of stops late. Bounceback game, exactly what we expected.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Antetokounmpo deferred more than usual and had 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks.<\/p>\n

\n

WHAT A BLOCK BY GIANNIS!! pic.twitter.com\/dYOCnAGyNA<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 15, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n