Milwaukee Bucks 'definitely could've used' Khris Middleton in Round 2 loss to Boston Celtics

BOSTON — To successfully defend their NBA championship, the Milwaukee Bucks knew they needed a combination of strong player performances, health and, perhaps, a little bit of luck.

But the absence of forward Khris Middleton loomed large throughout their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Celtics and was ultimately too difficult to overcome as Milwaukee's season ended with a 109-81 loss in Game 7 Sunday.

The Bucks failed to reach 100 points in three of the seven games (all losses) and were badly outshot from behind the 3-point line. Boston made 53 more 3-pointers than Milwaukee in the series, which according to research by ESPN Stats & Information is by far the largest gap in a single series in NBA postseason history.

«We could've used (Middleton), definitely could've used him,» Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said. «He makes big shots and big plays on both ends, but especially offensively.»

Without Middleton, who sprained the MCL in his left knee during Game 2 of their first round matchup with the Chicago Bulls, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo did his best to carry the team through the series.

Antetokounmpo averaged 33.9 points, 14.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists during the series against a Celtics defense that finished No. 1 in the NBA in efficiency during the regular season. He finished with as many 40 point games in this series (3) as the Celtics surrendered all season. And Antetokounmpo became the first player in league history to score 200 points, grab 100 rebounds and dish out 50 assists during a single series.

«The way Giannis evolved through the series, the way Giannis played against a very good defensive team, against a lot of good individual defenders was like another one of those growth moments and