3 Bucks who need to step up in NBA Finals with Giannis Antetokounmpo banged up

Khris Middleton has to become the offense’s go-to scorer vs. Phoenix Suns

What really tipped the scales in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals once Antetokounmpo went down was Khris Middleton taking over on the wing. As with Holiday, he will be representing Team USA in Tokyo here in a few weeks. The two-time All-Star out of Texas A&M has been scrutinized for the Bucks’ previous playoff failures, but he is four wins away from becoming an NBA champion.

Though he may not be able to keep pace with Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker in the scoring department, Milwaukee needs to count on him to lead the Bucks in scoring every game of this best-of-seven series. If he disappears offensively in a game, there is next to no chance for Milwaukee to win. They will be looking to him to get them a big-time bucket and he has to deliver.

Middleton being able to get 25 or so a night will do wonders for the rest of the roster. It will alleviate pressure off Lopez to do work in the paint on Ayton, as well as Holiday being able to hold his own vs. Paul, not to mention having to rely in bench players who are only barely in Mike Budenholzer’s playoff rotation. If Middleton plays well, then Milwaukee has a puncher’s chance.

Overall, everybody on the Bucks has to step up in Antetokounmpo’s extended absence. However, the burden largely falls on Middleton, Holiday and Lopez, in that order. If all three have great series, then Milwaukee has a decent chance of winning it all. Should two or more of them struggle, Phoenix could win its first-ever NBA championship very quickly over a depleted Milwaukee team.

Phoenix should be favored in this series, but there is a pathway for Milwaukee to stun the Suns.