MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 10: Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives around Landry Shamet #20 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference second round playoff series at the Fiserv Forum on June 10, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Jrue Holiday came up clutch with a game-winner to save the Milwaukee Bucks season.
Jrue Holiday made just four of his 14 shots in Game 3, but he hit the one that mattered the most in the end. With just 11.4 seconds left on the clock, Holiday sunk a driving layup to put the Milwaukee Bucks ahead 84-83 over the Brooklyn Nets.
When Bruce Brown missed the opportunity to put the Nets back on top, Khris Middleton then sealed the deal at the free-throw line for the Bucks. A 3-0 hole would’ve been catastrophic — no team in NBA history has ever come back from that kind of deficit — but just like that, the Bucks live to see another game.
Check out Holiday’s spinning drive that saved Milwaukee’s season.
Jrue Holiday drive gets Bucks a win in Game 3
With his game-winner, Holiday proved he can be an X-factor for the Bucks in this series. That play helped close out a de facto must-win game.
Importantly, Milwaukee finally found a way to slow down a high-octane Nets offense, and that’s going to be key to evening up this series. However, the Bucks offense still didn’t exactly make one “Fear the Deer.”
Both teams shot under 40 percent in Game 3. Aside from Holiday’s late-game heroics, Milwaukee relied heavily on Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 35 and 33 points, respectively – nearly 80 percent of the team’s total. Only four other guys scored at all.
The Bucks will need more from Holiday in Game 4 and beyond. Otherwise, they’ll be sent packing for their summer vacations next week.