NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: HAWKS VS. BUCKS

June 23, 2021

Khris Middleton

Milwaukee Bucks

Game 1: Postgame

Atlanta Hawks 116, Milwaukee Bucks 113

Q. You're trying to go quick, 29 seconds, get that baseline drive and you find Pat. I know you're probably okay with execution there but obviously doesn't go your way. How do you keep Pat up and keep him confident going forward?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: I've seen him knock that down. He's made good shots all season long. Didn't go his way tonight or our way tonight. It's a great shot by Pat. Just didn't go in.

Q. For you offensively, it looked like you were getting to the spots that you wanted, is that what it felt like or what are you thinking going into Game 2?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: Just got to be better. It's as simple as that. Get into my spots, play-making, everything. Just got to be better.

Q. Do you feel like you guys let Trae get too comfortable in the first half?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: I think he's in his comfort zone. Try to change things up on him a little bit in the second half and I think it worked some, but he's a hell of a player. He made some tough shots. His teammates get him the ball, but we have to do a better job containing him.

Q. Giannis said the most frustrating part was giving up offensive rebounds. Was that the most frustrating for you?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: I'd say so. I mean, in the fourth quarter to end the game, they got a couple on one possession and made a big three, and Capela got another one to take the lead. When we box out to get the rebounds, it's a different game for sure.

Q. Giving up 48 points to a player in consecutive games, what do you make of that and how do you feel about it?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: I mean, definitely don't want to have somebody go 48, 50-plus, whatever. Just got to be better containing guys. I think a little bit of playing into their hands a little bit, they are getting comfortable getting to their spots and they get going. Just got to do a better job, like I said, containing those guys.

Q. The last shot, how did that look to you? Did it look good?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: Got a good look off of it. It was on line. Just short. All my shots were short tonight. I have to make that adjustment. I've got to be better. Like I said, I've got to see where my misses are going or the types of shots I'm getting and adjusting my game, too.

Q. It's been a decent stretch of you guys not making as many threes as you're used to. Is there a way to get out of that without the practice time?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: We're still pretty much playing every other day or two days in between. Just got to be better, shoot the ball better for sure. Looking at it right now, they were 8-for-32 [from three-point range], we were 8-for-36. We make a couple threes and be ourselves, it's a different ballgame. Could be the same with them; same thing they are saying, also.

But I really don't think it was the offensive side for us. I think it was more the defense.