Three things to watch in Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Boston vs. Milwaukee has been the most anticipated second-round series in the NBA — the defending champions against the hottest team over the season’s final months. Two elite defenses trying to slow down some of the game’s best offensive players. A showdown that could determine who came out of the East — and maybe the next NBA champion.

Then the Bucks’ injury report came out.

This 2/3 series in the East still has fascinating storylines, a chess match of Xs and Os that will be a master class, but the Bucks being without their second-best player takes some of the luster off the showdown. Still, there are things to watch that will swing the series.

This entire series may swing on the Bucks’ injury report.

Milwaukee still has (arguably) the best player on the planet in Giannis Antetokounmpo, an elite point guard in Jrue Holiday, a roster filled with shooting and high IQ role players, and they bring championship swagger to the party.

All that likely is not enough without Khris Middleton, who is out with an MCL sprain in his left knee. The Bucks said Middleton would be re-evaluated two weeks after the injury (which happened on April 20). Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer refuses to put a timeline on Middleton’s return.

#Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer on if he expects Khris Middleton to miss the entire #Celtics series:

“There’s nothing new on his timeline. When we have something to update you with, we will. So, there’s nothing new.”

— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) April 29, 2022

However, a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic called it a Grade 2 sprain that will cause Middleton to miss the entire series. If so, the Bucks are in trouble.

A lot of fans underrate Middleton. He’s an All-Star, an NBA champion, and an Olympic