Shams: Middleton OUT For 2nd Round With Grade 2 MCL Sprain

[wikkid1]

Even without middleton this bucks team is insanely good.  Portis is the one the C's need to slow down.  He kills them and will benefit most with the increased PT.  They have more size then we do and this series Rob and Al need to step up their protection of the paint.

Yeah, ol’ bug eyes has had the C’s number the past couple years.

[hwangjini_1]

color me shameless.

as long as it is not career threatening, i am fine (heck maybe even a little giddy) with the bucks being down an all-star player.

i want another sweep by the celtics here, followed by a nice few days off to heal and prepare to stomp the snot out of the next team. and if their stars are slightly injured that too is fine with me.

yes, i am a bad, bad person. 

Nah, you're not a bad person. You weren't hoping for an injury, you simply wanted him not to be here. For instance, if Middleton discovered that Giannis was his beshert* and the two ran off to live happily together, you'd be even more happy.

Mike

*Yiddish has the coolest words

love
happiness
celtics winning
very cool yiddish words....

what's not to like?? 

[JSD]

Middleton has got to be the best 2nd rounder taken in the last 20 years right?

[Celtics2021]

Middleton has got to be the best 2nd rounder taken in the last 20 years right?

He’s not even the best from his draft.

[tenn_smoothie]

That stinks.   I think this Celtics team is good enough to win against any team without excuses.

Celts might be that good - fully healthy.

Looks like we may have been very fortunate with Rob Williams injury recovery going much faster than originally thought. This news could have easily have been us if Rob had sustained a more serious injury. He is still not back to full strength. Let's keep positive thoughts for our boys to stay healthy the rest of the way and see what kind of havoc we can wreak in the playoffs.

Question ? Kinda strange how long this diagnosis took. Usually, there is a next-day MRI which clearly shows the extent of the injury.

[JSD]

Middleton has got to be the best 2nd rounder taken in the last 20 years right?

He’s not even the best from his draft.

Okay Fair, but he's probably number 3 behind Joker and Draymond

[LilRip]

Still up against an NBA team, still up against an MVP and DPOY level player… this series is going to be tough regardless. Middleton would’ve made it even tougher but the Bucks (without him) can still beat us. I hope C’s aren’t breathing a sigh of relief that Middleton is out.

[hpantazo]

Still up against an NBA team, still up against an MVP and DPOY level player… this series is going to be tough regardless. Middleton would’ve made it even tougher but the Bucks (without him) can still beat us. I hope C’s aren’t breathing a sigh of relief that Middleton is out.

That home court advantage we got by refusing to tank is looking really good right about now...

[Moranis]

I still think Boston can win this in 7 as I predicted, but I expected Boston to win game 1 so it will be a lot harder for Boston to win this now.  I figured Giannis would still be a problem for Boston without Middleton, but I didn't expect the Bucks to dominate a game that may very well be Giannis worst game in the series.  Not a good sign.

[letsgoblue86]

I still think Boston can win this in 7 as I predicted, but I expected Boston to win game 1 so it will be a lot harder for Boston to win this now.  I figured Giannis would still be a problem for Boston without Middleton, but I didn't expect the Bucks to dominate a game that may very well be Giannis worst game in the series.  Not a good sign.

Yes, but also don’t think the Celtics can play any worse.

[jpotter33]

I still think Boston can win this in 7 as I predicted, but I expected Boston to win game 1 so it will be a lot harder for Boston to win this now.  I figured Giannis would still be a problem for Boston without Middleton, but I didn't expect the Bucks to dominate a game that may very well be Giannis worst game in the series.  Not a good sign.

They only dominated because of the bad double-teaming Giannis scheme. Adjust the scheme and they get many fewer open looks.

So, yes, Giannis will probably play better the next time under the less focused scheme on him, but that also comes with the consequence of limiting the others, too.

We're also coming off a really long rest compared to Milwaukee, which has traditionally made teams get out of sync. I expect a much better effort from us in Game 2, with Tatum not having a below average game, Brown not having his worst game in years, and everyone else but Horford playing below average.

[Csfan1984]

Defense wasn't too bad they need to hit shots. Do that and the transition points get cut down.

[Phantom255x]

I said C's in 7 and still feel that way even after today. But yeah Game 2 is now a must-win.

[SparzWizard]

I said C's in 7 and still feel that way even after today. But yeah Game 2 is now a must-win.

Lol get blown out at home even without Middleton. Embarrassing. Game 2 is def must-win.

[Phantom255x]

I said C's in 7 and still feel that way even after today. But yeah Game 2 is now a must-win.

Lol get blown out at home even without Middleton. Embarrassing. Game 2 is def must-win.

I will say, there's no question MIL's depth is way better than Brooklyn's