The Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics are in the middle of a close series, and against the league’s best defensive team, the Bucks are feeling the absence of their second star, Khris Middleton.
Middleton suffered from a left MCL sprain in Game 2 against the Chicago Bulls and is expected to miss the remainder of the postseason. This poses a challenge for the Bucks because they are missing their primary playmaker and creator.
The Milwaukee Bucks are feeling Khris Middleton’s absence against Boston
In the regular season, Middleton averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Without him, All-Star and former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo faces the pressure of shouldering most of the scoring burden. Simultaneously, other players are being forced to step up and take on more responsibility on the court.
This is especially important against the Celtics because, without Middleton, the Bucks are missing a versatile offensive player who can constantly challenge the defense, which is something they desperately need against such a strong team.
The Celtics are a team made up of elite defenders, and right now, they have too much to throw at Giannis. Since Middleton is dangerous in any offensive spot, including behind the three-point line, he draws defenders and creates space for his teammates. This is why Middleton’s absence is becoming an issue now. He could be replaced against the Bulls, but Boston is a much tougher opponent, and to beat them, everyone on the Bucks needs to be at their best.
Middleton is difficult to replace, not only due to his playmaking but also regarding the chances he creates for himself. Middleton only took about 44% of his shots off an assist throughout the regular season, creating the rest for himself off the dribble.
All three players who are suitable replacements for his position – Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, and Bobby Portis – took over 70% assisted shots. They need someone to create opportunities for the team, but one of their primary playmakers is out. And now, many players need to rely more heavily on Jrue Holliday to provide even more assists than he already does.
Furthermore, with Middleton on the court, the Bucks managed to outscore opponents by 6.3 points per 100 possessions, and without him, only by 0.1 points per 100 possessions.
This is especially noticeable in the pick and roll. The Middleton-Giannis pick and roll, which has become the team’s go-to play, is much more effective and dangerous than the Holliday-Giannis pick and roll.
This is because, with Middleton playing the pick and roll, Holiday is there for the kick out and shot. The lack of this threat is especially noticeable against the Celtics because they are good at defending the pick and roll, and the Bucks need all the additional options they can get.
Middleton’s absence is also felt on the defensive end, as someone else needs to take on the challenge of guarding either Tatum or Brown alongside Jrue Holliday. .
In addition, Middleton has a history of playing well against Boston. For example, in the first round of the 2018 playoffs, he shot 62.7% from the field and 64.8% on three-pointers. He even dropped 32 points in the Bucks’ Game 7 loss against Boston.
Knowing that someone with that history and experience was there on the court with them would surely offer the remaining Bucks some comfort and confidence.
The Milwaukee Bucks are not hopeless without Khris Middleton. No team with Giannis on the court is ever hopeless, as he has proved repeatedly that he can take over a game and decide it all by himself. But Middleton is definitely missed.