Los Angeles (AFP)

The Milwaukee Bucks took the 2-1 advantage over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday in the Eastern Conference final, with a 113-102 victory that owes a lot to an "incredible" Khris Middleton late in the game, according to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The two best players of the Bucks brilliantly took turns, scoring 19 of their team's last 20 points, after a meeting in which they clearly pressed on the accelerator, especially in the fourth quarter, won 30-17 .

"What I saw today was incredible. It was great," said Antetokounmpo, referring to his friend Middleton.

The N.4 match is scheduled for Tuesday in Atlanta, where the Hawks have won only one match in two since the start of the play-offs (3 v-3 d).

Middleton scored 20 of his 38 points (tying his play-off record) in the last quarter, scoring more than the entire Atlanta team put together.

He also took 11 rebounds and offered 7 assists.

"We can salute Khris for this fourth quarter. He has become + crazy +. He did what he wanted, that's for sure," added Bobby Portis, from the front row to attend the "Middleton Show".

- Young hit in an ankle -

Milwaukee did not really dominate the rest of the game, even being led by 15 points in the first quarter and waiting for the third to finally gain the advantage.

Until this impressive finish: 25-7 in the wake of an imperial Middleton.

Antetokounmpo also pulled out a very big game, despite his pain in his left calf.

The "Greek Freak", who had been drafted by Milwaukee eight years ago to the day, imposed his presence as much in attack (33 points) as in defense (11 rebounds, 2 interceptions, 1 against).

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The 16,000 supporters present at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta tried to distract him during his free throws (6 of 13), for which he is used to taking his time, but that did not prevent him from succeeding. 13 out of 21 shots attempted.

Among the Hawks, Trae Young, still as twirling, was not unworthy (35 points, including 6 of 14 at 3 points), but that was not enough against the armada of the Bucks, completed by Jrue Holiday (6 points, 12 assists) and Bobbi Portis (15 points).

Young, 22, experienced a great fright during the 3rd period: his right ankle turned slightly, after having inadvertently stepped on the foot of an official.

Enough to drop his statistics: 9.9 assists in the play-offs, but only four Sunday night.

"I will treat myself as much as possible," assured the player, confident about his participation in the next match on Tuesday.

He had to leave the floor for a few minutes, before coming back to finish the meeting.

His absence at that point in the game no doubt contributed to wavering the Hawks' attack, which will have to regroup to continue to hope in this series.

The winner of this duel will be opposed in the final to Phoenix or the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Suns lead three wins to one, before the N.5 match on Monday in their hall which could be decisive.

© 2021 AFP