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3 Milwaukee Bucks who have to step up after Khris Middleton’s injury

By Brian Sampson

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks tries to move against Alex Caruso #6 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 05, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 127-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks tries to move against Alex Caruso #6 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 05, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 127-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks sleepwalked through most of Game 2, lacking the intensity and focus needed for the regular season, nonetheless the playoffs. They tried to turn on the jets late in the game, but were never able to overcome the hump and overtake the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately, they also lost Khris Middleton to an injury.

Middleton, who got off to a horrendous start in the first half, turned on the jets in the third quarter and finished the game with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, eight assists, and five rebounds. Unfortunately, he slipped on a drive in the fourth quarter and was limping around after that. He came out of the game a short while later, immediately walked back to the locker room and was announced out for the rest of the game with left knee soreness.

In the postgame press conference, head coach Mike Budenholzer announced that Middleton has a sprained MCL and that an MRI would be completed on Thursday to determine the seriousness. Regardless of the results, Milwaukee will probably be without his services for the rest of the series, forcing these three players to pick up the slack.

The Milwaukee Bucks may be without Khris Middleton due to an MCL injury and they need these three players to step up in the playoffs.

Pat Connaughton

Pat Connaughton didn’t see his first game action until mid-way through the second quarter which is odd for a player that has proven himself at this level. Instead, Budenholzer chose to go with Grayson Allen as the sub off the bench.

With Middleton likely out, Connaughton will be relied upon more than ever. He’s had some big games in the past and the Bucks will need one or two more of those in this series. He’s still finding his three-point shot and is 2-for-12 from distance in this series. He can’t replace the shot creation Middleton brings, but the Bucks need him to knock down those looks.

Grayson Allen

Another wing who will have to step up is Grayson Allen. He has a little bit more shot-creating punch than Connaughton, but not by a wide margin. He’s also struggled to find his stroke through the first two games of the series and has been a bit more hesitant to shoot than normal.

Other than the obvious of making shots, he needs to step up his game on the defensive side of the court. Middleton often switched onto DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine instead of asking Wesley Matthews and Jrue Holiday to fight through screens. Middleton could hold his own whereas Allen is a liability on that end. He doesn’t possess the size and athletic abilities to be an adequate defender, but he should look no further than Bobby Portis as a recent success story of someone in Milwaukee who turned themselves into a serviceable postseason defender.

Jrue Holiday

It’s safe to say that Holiday left a lot on the table in Game 2. He’s put up some stinkers in his Bucks’ playoff career, but this one might take the cake.

Holiday finished with just 15 points on 6-for-16 shooting and six turnovers in 38 minutes. Milwaukee was also a -8 while he was on the floor. This is probably a case where he was far worse than even the box score suggested.

There were numerous times when he threw the ball away for no good reason, ending any momentum the Bucks were trying to create. He also forced the issue in the second half, bullying his way into the lane before forcing up highly contested shots near the rim. It was good to see that aggressiveness from him, but he needs to be smarter about his shot selection.

Perhaps, the worst miss at the rim came with just under three minutes remaining in the game. Holiday had just nailed a three to cut the Bulls’ lead to five points and the Bucks got a stop on the other end of the floor. After bringing the ball up the court and receiving a screen, Holiday was able to get all the way to the rim, but missed an uncontested layup at point blank range. That shot would’ve made it a one-possession game. Instead, the Bulls drained a three on their next possession and pushed their lead to eight.

Holiday needs to be better in every aspect of his game moving forward. A phrase that’s easier said than done considering the annoying defensive extraordinaire Alex Caruso will likely now turn his attention from Middleton to Holiday.

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