Kris Middleton to Miss Series vs. Celtics

Milwaukee Bucks All-Star small forward will be forced to sit out the entire series against the Boston Celtics due to an MCL strain he suffered in game 2 against the Chicago Bulls. 

Middleton averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game during Milwaukee’s championship run last season. He was also a huge part of their defensive scheme, as he could guard numerous positions and was a great team defender. Middleton was the go-to guy late in the fourth quarter of close games. He hit big shot after big shot in their playoff run last year, including a buzzer-beating game-winner against Miami in the first round and a handful of timely mid-range jumpers in the team’s series against the Nets and Suns. 

Replacing Middleton’s production is impossible. They are going to miss him, especially against a Celtics team that can stifle offenses that don’t have too many playmakers. The key for Milwaukee is going to be figuring out ways to get guys like Bobby Portis and Grayson Allen to step up and create offense. Mike Budenholzer is going to rely heavily on Jrue Holiday to the offensive end as the primary ball handler. If Holiday can be more aggressive as a scorer in this series, they should be able to compete. 

Even without Middleton, the Bucks are a very talented team. Don’t expect Boston to come out and wash the floor with them like they did with Brooklyn.

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