Injuries happen every year. Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis). Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee. If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor. Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade. They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.
Unnecessarily provocative post. You’re probably wrong that there is a big difference between the teams at full strength - regular season is proof of that. Might this have been over at this point with Bucks winning? Of course it’s possible, but equally likely that the series would be heading into Game 7.
regular season is rarely proof of anything when it comes to post season basketball. Middleton being out quite simply affects Milwaukee far more than Rob being out affects Boston. That isn't a provocative statement in any way. Neither is saying if both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won in 6 games. We are after all in game 7, saying it would have been over already doesn't mean a sweep.
Boston has won 4 of the 6 4th quarters in large part because Giannis has been tired, which I'd attribute to him having to carry far more of the offensive load than he would have needed to if Middleton was on the floor. There is no true 2nd scorer for the Bucks. The only other guy they have that create a shot (either for himself or teammates) is Holiday who has been mostly awful in the series. Giannis has had to carry so much of the burden it has worn him out. With Middleton, that is less an issue.
Middleton being out also means Hill and Matthews have to play way more minutes (or at all). While the C's do need to make up Rob's minutes they are mostly coming from extra minutes from guys in the rotation, who would probably in many cases be playing more minutes anyway. In fact Theis is actually playing less minutes this series than he did in the regular season.
Rob is an excellent defender, but Boston has a great defense without him and Rob is a poor to bad offensive player (while everyone else playing PF is not). Middleton is an integral part of both the offense and defense of the Bucks. If Brown was out it would be far more comparable (both in role and replacement).
There is nothing provocative in saying if both teams were healthy the Bucks would have won the series in 6 games because the Bucks when healthy are a better post season team than Boston. They have the best player, have the best 3rd best player, are deep, and we'll constructed. That is why Boston has to win this game. This is Boston's moment, they have to capitalize.