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Middleton drains fadeaway in Milwaukee Bucks OT win

By Steven Schauer

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 05: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during the first half of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum on January 05, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 05: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during the first half of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum on January 05, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Khris Middleton became the hero on Saturday afternoon, draining a fadeaway 19-footer from just inside the right-wing to give the Milwaukee Bucks a 109-107 overtime victory over the Miami Heat.

The win inside the Fiserv Forum gives the Milwaukee Bucks a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.

Everyone is always focused on Giannis Antetokounmpo; however, Milwaukee has a clutch performer in Middleton, and he showed why. He finished with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

"”I have confidence in myself,” Middleton said via NBA.com. ”You miss a lot of shots. You make a lot of shots. You just have to trust all the work you put in during the season and practice.”"

The game was close throughout, with 17 lead changes and 16 ties. Neither team led by more than four points in the fourth quarter or overtime. This series will likely go six games, possibly seven, based on this opening game of the series.

Game 2 is Monday night at 6:30 p.m. CT in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo didn’t disappoint himself, finishing with 26 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Jrue Holiday had a solid performance as well, with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Milwaukee had its chances to seal the game late in the fourth quarter, and Antetokounmpo couldn’t get it done. In the last-minute-plus of regulation, he missed three free throws and a layup.

"”I just tried to stay aggressive the whole game,” Antetokounmpo said. ”That’s what I’m going to try to do the whole series, miss or make.”"

The Milwaukee Bucks were able to keep Jimmy Butler in check, holding him to 17 points on 4-of-22 shooting and forcing six turnovers. He did have 10 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals for the Heat. It was the first time in four games this season, including the regular season, that Butler played against Milwaukee.

The game also wouldn’t have gone to overtime if it wasn’t for Butler making a buzzer-beating two-foot layup over Antetokounmpo.

In overtime, following a Heat 3-pointer by Goran Dragic with 20.6 seconds to play, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer decided not to call timeout and give his team the chance to win.

"”It shows the trust we have in one another,” Middleton said. ”On the fly, sometimes we don’t have to call a timeout. We can execute our sets and everyone get to their spots and get the best shot out of it.”"

Milwaukee dominated the paint against Miami with 56 points and will look to go ahead 2-0 in the series despite making only five 3-pointers and giving up 20 to the Heat.

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