Middleton, Bucks letting it fly at home

Under head coach Mike Budenholzer’s “let it fly” offensive scheme, 3-pointers often define whether the Milwaukee Bucks win or lose a game.

Twenty-seven games into the 2020-21 campaign, the Bucks are attempting the second-most 3-pointers per game (38.2) and rank third in 3-point percentage (39.9%).

But Milwaukee has been especially great from downtown within the confines of Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks are nailing 41.5% of their 3s at home, the best mark in the NBA and far better than the league average of 37%. The biggest contributor to that clip has been Khris Middleton, who attempts a team-high 5.6 triples per game overall and makes 54.8% of them at home.

Only Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris is making a higher percentage of home 3s at 58.3%.

Although the Bucks are at home Tuesday night against Toronto, it won’t be a cake walk against the Raptors. Toronto has the fourth-best 3-point percentage on the road (40.7%), trailing only the Clippers, Brooklyn and Utah.

The Raptors have a couple of strong defenders as well.

On defense, Toronto center Pascal Siakam contests 4.1 3-point attempts per game, the third-highest average in the Eastern Conference. He led that category last season (5.6). Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks second in 2020-21 with 4.2 contested 3s per game as a defender.

If the Bucks are planning on ending their season-long three-game losing skid, Antetokounmpo needs to have a big game. Although, he’s been stellar in losses this season, averaging 32.2 points, 13.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists on 57.3% shooting.

For both teams, it’s all about heading into the fourth quarter with a lead. The Bucks are 16-2 this season when entering the fourth with an advantage but 0-8 when trailing. The Raptors are 11-1 with a lead after three quarters and 1-13 without it.

FOX Sports Wisconsin will air Tuesday’s game between Milwaukee and Toronto, with “Bucks Live” beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Statistics courtesy Sportradar