By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Both teams fought hard and gave the fans a spectacular show but at the end of the day, it was Khris Middleton and the hardworking Milwaukee Bucks that prevailed.
Trailing by as much as nine points heading into the final quarter, the Milwaukee Bucks used a patient and organized defensive hold in the last five minutes to even the NBA Finals series at two games apiece after gutting out a Game 4 win, 109-103.
It was not the start Milwaukee wanted as Devin Booker had the early grip on the game and went out firing from all cylinders to score 20 points in just the first half.
The Bucks struggled early from the three-point line but made it up through their solid defense that kept the Suns at 30 percent from the three-point area.
One of the most thrilling sequences was during the last five minutes of the dog fight. With the Suns leading by five, 95-90, Khris Middleton would again go berserk and put the entire Bucks on his back when the team needed someone to score.
The crafty shooting guard scored two fade-away jumpers to put the Bucks up by two, 101-99, with 1:21 remaining in the fourth.
When the Suns had the chance to run their offense and score, they went to their Monty Williams signature scheme of a curling pick-and-roll where Booker dished out a perfect alley-oop pass to Deandre Ayton.
Just when every Suns fan thought that Ayton would slam the ball easily, two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetoukounmpo perfectly timed his contest and registered the biggest defensive stop of the night as he swatted away the dunk attempt.
The Bucks then iced the game off Middleton and Jrue Holiday’s free throws and took care of business as they swept both their home games to a 2-2 NBA Finals series standing.
Booker finished the game with 42 points, two assists, and one rebound, while Paul only had 10 points, his lowest production of the series so far.
Middleton led the Bucks with his 40-point night backstopped by Antetokounmpo’s 26 points, eight assists, 14 rebounds, and two blocks.
