Middleton magic helps Milwaukee tie series

Khris Middleton’s big finish means the NBA Finals are just getting started.

Middleton scored 40 points, including 10 straight for the Milwaukee Bucks down the stretch to send them past the Phoenix Suns, 109-103 on Wednesday night to tie the series 2-2.

Middleton’s hot hand and a big block from Giannis Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks their second straight victory of the series.

Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. His streak of 40-point games ended at two but the only number that matters for the Bucks is on the series scoreboard.

Devin Booker scored 42 points for the Suns, but his foul trouble cost them a chance to build a big lead in the second half. Chris Paul struggled through a 5-for-13 night, finishing with 10 points and five turnovers.

Game 5 is on Saturday night in Phoenix. “You can’t just bank on the fact that you got home court,” Paul said. “You got to go out there and play the game. You got to execute, so we’ll do that.”

Booker has 542 points, the most ever for a player in his first postseason. Rick Barry scored 521 in 1967.