FILM STUDY: Stopping Khris Middleton could decide the Nets season

Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports 38 points.

38 points on 11-of-16 shooting was what it took from Khris Middleton to finish the Nets off in Game 6 of the second-round series. Rather than placing the ball in the hands of its superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, in hopes of semi-reliable isolations, Milwaukee rode the hot hand — a celebrated hot hand, might I add, that has made two All-Star games of his own, Middleton.

“He loves those moments,” said Giannis about his co-star Middleton to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “He’s never scared of those moments. It’s been an amazing eight years now having him next to me because I know in games like this he’s always ready. He’s always going to give his best,…