Khris Middleton Hits 3 At The Buzzer, Completes Milwaukee Bucks' 89-88 Comeback Win Over Miami Heat

Shoved into a bigger role with the Milwaukee Bucks, wingman Khris Middleton has became one of the key pieces in the team’s respectable run in the current NBA season. On Tuesday night, he was the recipient of a pass from a hustle play, and like most of this regular season, he stepped up and drained a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Bucks a stirring 89-88 comeback victory.

Middleton scored just 13 points on 5-of-17 field goal shooting but his three-pointer gave the Bucks the win even after trailing 85-71 halfway to go in the payoff period. The trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo (16 points and 10 rebounds), Ersan Ilyasova (19 points and 11 rebounds) and Zaza Pachulia (14 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals) all had double-doubles while Jerryd Bayless finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for Milwaukee.

Bayless won a key jumpball late and Pachulia hustled for the rebound that led to Middleton's game-winner.

It was an unfortunate result for the Heat, which were in control for much of the ballgame. Dwyane Wade had 21 points and 3 steals while Goran Dragic had 16 points, 6 assists and 2 steals but Miami just couldn’t get the stops in the fourth quarter allowing the Bucks to unleash 18-3 run to end the game.

The Heat (32-38) were hoping to gain ground on the Bucks (35-36) for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Instead, they are now just one game ahead of the Boston Celtics (31-29) and the teams are currently ranked seventh and eighth, respectively.

With the regular season winding down, it’s a mad dash for the final slots in the East with the Charlotte Hornets (30-39), Indiana Pacers (30-40), Brooklyn Nets (39-40) and Detroit Pistons (27-44) all within striking distance. After a three-game winning streak, the Heat have now lost back-to-back games. They continue road trip taking on the Celtics on Wednesday and the East leaders Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

For Milwaukee, they snapped a six-game losing skid— their longest of the season— and will host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.