ATLANTA (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks have reached the NBA Finals for the first time since Kareem-Abdul Jabbar and Oscar Robertson led the 1974 squad. And they didn’t need Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) to end the 37-year drought.
Khris Middleton scored 32 points, including a run of 16 straight in a decisive third quarter that carried the Bucks to a 118-107 victory over the Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Middleton provided 23 of the Bucks’ 44 points in the period, nearly outscoring the Hawks all by himself. Atlanta had 29 points in the third as Milwaukee headed to the final quarter with a commanding 91-72 lead.
Jrue Holiday added 27 points for the Bucks who played their second straight game without Antetokounmpo because of a hyperextended left knee.
Trae Young played for the first time after missing two games with an ankle injury, but his shooting touch didn’t come within him. The Hawks guard scored just 14 points on 4 of 17 shooting and had nine assists.
Cam Reddish had a team-high 21 points off the bench for the Hawks, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 20.
Game 1 of the Finals is Tuesday in Phoenix.
