The Milwaukee Bucks have tied up the series against the Phoenix Suns.
Game 4 was a pivotal game for the Bucks to win.
A loss would have had them down 3-1 and going back on the road to Phoenix.
However, they prevailed in an instant classic of a game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo played a great game that was still not on par with his previous two games.
However, he needed some help in Game 4.
Jrue Holiday was struggling throughout the game with his shot.
He shot 4-20 from the field.
He was able to receive it in the form of Khris Middleton.
Middleton has been the second guy for the Bucks behind Antetokounmpo for the last couple of years.
The Bucks have needed him to score whenever their best player might have an off night.
He has stepped up in big moments throughout this playoff run.
Khris Middleton always steps up when it matters.
G6 vs BKN: 38 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST
G7 vs BKN: 23 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST
G5 vs ATL: 26 PTS, 13 REB, 8 AST
G6 vs ATL: 32 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST
G4 vs PHX: 40 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST pic.twitter.com/BcxDVccOqm— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 15, 2021
Game 4 was no different.
Middleton came into Game 4 as a guy who was struggling, but left the game as a hero.
The Numbers Were Amazing
Middleton has not had the best Finals thus far.
Games 2 and 3 were a struggle for him as he shot a collective 11-30 combined in those two games.
He also shot 4-13 from three.
Game 2 was a big loss for the Bucks as he scored 11 points.
However, Game 3 was a victory, but he was only able to muster up 18 points.
There was a chance that the biggest moment could have been too much for Middleton.
The big moments can get to players, such as Chris Paul, who is in this series.
Game 4 was a must win game for the Bucks and Middleton helped out tremendously.
Middleton poured in 40 points with six rebounds and four assists.
He shot 15-33 from the field and 3-8 from three.
Those 40 points were a career-high for Middleton.
Khris Middleton tonight:
40 PTS*
6 REB
4 AST
15-33 FG*Playoff career-high pic.twitter.com/SxiaAvXh4W
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 15, 2021
It was an outstanding performance from him.
Consistency has been an issue for Middleton throughout the postseason.
For every good game, we see a bad one to follow.
He just needs to be able to put together more performances such as this on a consistent basis.
However, he did step up for this important game and helped the Bucks tie up the series at two games apiece.
He Came Up In The Clutch
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Suns held the lead.
Devin Booker had a crazy third-quarter performance.
Booker put up 18 points and was perfect from the field.
It looked as if the Suns were going to take full control of the game and series.
However, the fourth quarter was all about the Bucks.
The game came down to the wire and Middleton came up clutch to take home the win.
Middleton scored 14 points in that fourth quarter to put the Bucks in a winning position.
Antetokounmpo did not have the great scoring game, as he only had 26 total points.
His defense was what stood out the most.
That is why Middleton needed to put up big numbers in that fourth quarter.
He was able to execute in the mid-range game and off of pick and rolls with Antetokounmpo.
NEXT: Grading Giannis Antetokounmpo's Game 4 Performance