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NBA playoffs: Khris Middleton leads Giannis-less Bucks to first NBA Finals since 1974

For the first time since the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Milwaukee Bucks are headed to the NBA Finals.

The Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 118-107 on Saturday to win the Eastern Conference finals in six games, despite missing Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) for the last two-and-a-half games. Milwaukee will now face the Phoenix Suns for their first championship since 1971.

Game 1 of the Finals is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, broadcasted by ABC.

In Antetokounmpo's stead, Khris Middleton upgraded from sidekick to hero. The Bucks veteran went off for 31 points on 10-of-22 shooting (4-of-10 from deep), seven assists, four rebounds and three steals with 23 of those points coming in an incredible third quarter:

"Khris Middleton is putting on a show!