DALLAS (AP) — Khris Middleton thought Nikola Mirotic tilted a playoff series in Chicago’s favor nearly four years ago when the Bulls beat his Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
Mirotic will be on Middleton’s side for the postseason this time around.
The Bucks had already surged to the NBA’s best record when general manager Jon Horst got the 6-foot-10 Mirotic, an adept 3-point shooter, in a three-team trade that sent Milwaukee’s Jason Smith and Detroit’s Stanley Johnson to New Orleans. The Pistons got Thon Maker from Milwaukee.
The Pelicans made a similar move to add Mirotic last February, and he helped them rally to make the playoffs and advance to the second round after a season-ending injury to DeMarcus Cousins.