5 Reasons The Milwaukee Bucks Can Still Win Their Series Against Toronto Raptors

Khris Middleton Is Due For A Good Game

The Milwaukee Bucks had fallen to 11th in the Eastern Conference when Khris Middleton returned from injury, a gruesome hamstring tear that nearly derailed his entire season. Two months later the Bucks had climbed to sixth despite losing Jabari Parker for the year.

Middleton is the perfect fit for the Bucks at both ends of the court. His size and defensive foot speed allow him to play either wing position, guarding the opposing team’s best wing in return.

On offense he is the best three-point shooter in the starting lineup, with a nasty post game is guarded by a smaller player.

In the first few games of the season Middleton’s post game was on full effect as he attacked Cory Joseph and DeMar DeRozan in the paint, generating high-percentage baskets or passing to open teammates. In Game 1, he notched nine assists; in Games 2 and 3, he reached 20 points.

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Toronto made the move to limit the minutes of the smaller Joseph, instead breaking out Norman Powell and playing him starters minutes to increase their size on the wing. Powell is less vulnerable to post backdowns, and on defense he and Tucker provide more verve than DeRozan and Carroll were able to generate.

But Middleton is not the sort of player to produce against a mismatch but disappear when the defense gets tough. His shooting has been poor the last two games, as Middleton has gone just 7-for-21 from the field and 0-of-5 from three. There is every reason to think he can turn those numbers around and have a strong showing.

Combined with a strong game from one of the backcourt players and the usual brilliance of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Bucks can win Game Six and force a winnable Game Seven.

Khris Middleton played like an All-Star down the stretch for Milwaukee and Thursday we will see whether he has that left in him for the Raptors.