Devin Booker and Khris Middleton Had a Duel for the Ages in NBA Finals Game 4

Game 4 of the NBA Finals was an exciting one as the Bucks stormed back in the fourth quarter to even the series at two a piece. It was a scoring battle between Khris Middleton (40 points) and Devin Booker (42 points), but Middleton got the last laugh, outscoring Phoenix by himself 10-4 in the final 2:15 of game time. Chris Paul and Jrue Holiday were underwhelming, combining to go just 9-33 from the field. Giannis had 26 points and one of the greatest blocks in NBA Finals history. The series will head back to Phoenix for Game 5.

INTERESTING FACTS

Most PTS in 1st career postseason: 1. Booker (542), 2. Rick Barry (521), 3. Julius Erving (518), 4. Trae Young (461)
This is the 1st NBA Finals to have 3 players (Middleton, Antetokounmpo, Booker) with a GP of 40+ PTS in NBA history
Khris Middleton’s top 4 scoring performances this season have come in the playoffs
Bucks are the 1st team to have a player with 40+ PTS during 3 consecutive Finals GP since the 1993 Bulls
Middleton outscored Phoenix himself 10-4 in the final 2:15 of game time
PHX is the 1st team to lose a Finals game despite a FG% that was 10+% better than their opponent since the ’84 Lakers
D-Book recorded the most PTS (42) by a player with 10 or fewer PTS in the previous game in NBA Finals history

Odds vs. PHX: MIL -200 (Spread -4.5)
MIL Stock Price: $9.48 (via FANDEX)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

DEVIN BOOKER AND KHRIS MIDDLETON HAD A DUEL FOR THE AGES IN NBA FINALS GAME 4

COLORS KEY | FULL BUCKS OUTLOOK

In the first few games of the NBA Finals, Devin Booker and Khris Middleton were not towards the top of the headlines, as Chris Paul and Giannis were stealing the show. However, Game 4 was a different story. Each of these two guys were due for big games and they exploded for 40+ points and combined for 82. It was a back and forth scoring showdown for the ages between them.

DBook was coming off a 10-point outing in Game 3, his lowest of the postseason, but tore it up in Game 4, shooting over 60% as he hit contested shot after contested shot. Similarly, Middleton failed to hit the 20-point mark in each of his last two games but set his NBA Playoffs career-high with 40 points on Wednesday night. These two are the most versatile scorers on their respective teams, and they showed why in Game 4 with an all-time duel that was ultimately won by Middleton.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

DBook drops 42

Booker is COOKING 🔥#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/VcN0Kupfzu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 15, 2021

Book. TOO TOUGH. 🤧#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/bivBsLwPpo
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 15, 2021

Booker getting what he wants in Game 4 🔥#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/wZXxB6Hrqb
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 15, 2021

🔥 @DevinBook went off for 42 POINTS on 17-28 shooting in Game 4. #ThatsGame #NBAFinals
Game 5: Sat, 9pm/et, ABC pic.twitter.com/oFs3b5i0DQ
— NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2021

Middleton’s playoff career-high night

MIDDLETON CLUTCH BUCKET 😱#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/VqsNQmS4ap
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 15, 2021

🔥 @Khris22m‘s #NBAPlayoffs career-high 40 POINTS propel the @Bucks to victory, tying the #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV! #ThatsGame
Game 5: Saturday, 9 PM ET, ABC pic.twitter.com/807eZqygKG
— NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2021

An All-Time scoring battle in Game 4

What a scoring battle. 🔥@Khris22m: 40 PTS, W@DevinBook: 42 PTS
The @Bucks top the Suns to tie the #NBAFinals at 2-2.. Game 5 is Saturday at 9 PM ET on ABC. #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/8bpPfjmYwb
— NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2021