MILWAUKEE — Breaking free off a screen, Landry Shamet took a pass from Cameron Payne and powered into the open space in front of him. Realizing the danger, Giannis Antetokounmpo came over and leapt in the air, forcing Shamet to drop the ball off to Deandre Ayton under the rim. Similar situations have led to some of Giannis’ most impressive defensive moments, but this time, as he tried to recover back to Ayton, he committed a foul — his sixth of the game.
The Bucks would have to play the final minute-plus without their two-time MVP, and were clinging to a five-point lead. It could have been a nervy finish, but the Bucks still had Khris Middleton. The veteran stepped up with some of his trademark clutch shot-making, draining a turnaround fadeaway and step-back 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to seal the win.
Middleton finished with a season-high 44 points, eight rebounds and five assists on the day,…
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