The Milwaukee Bucks are planning to be without Giannis Antetokounmpo to start the series against the Indiana Pacers, as he continues rehabbing his calf injury. He missed the last three games of the regular season with that injury and it isn’t good news that Antetokounmpo is going to miss the start of the series.
During the NBA regular season in 73 games played, he averaged 30.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.1 BPG, and 1.2 SPG. Antetokounmpo was second in the NBA in points per game, sixth in the NBA in rebounds per game, and 14th in the NBA in assists per game. This is a huge loss for them to start the series because he is one of the most dominant players in the NBA.
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo there will need to be other players who step up in this series against the Indiana Pacers. Who are the three players who will have to step up for Milwaukee?
Damian Lillard Will Have To Be the Man Like He Was With the Portland Trail Blazers on the Milwaukee Bucks With Giannis Antetokounmpo Sidelined
It is time for Damian Lillard to turn back the clock like he was when he was the leader of the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard is going to be the top scoring option in the lineup for Milwaukee with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined to start the season.
If the game is on the line, there is no doubt who is taking the last shot. If anyone is else is taking the last shot, it would be total malpractice. In four games against the Indiana Pacers this season, he only averaged 20.3 points per game in those matchups.
He averaged 24.3 points per game in the regular season. Damian Lillard may need to average close to 28-30 points per game in this series for the Milwaukee Bucks to prevail against the Indiana Pacers without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Bobby Portis Jr.
Bobby Portis Jr. is most likely the favorite to be the Sixth Man of the Year in the NBA. Will head coach Doc Rivers insert him into the starting lineup without Giannis Antetokounmpo or will he keep him on the bench and insert someone else into the starting lineup?
It remains to be seen because the series against Indiana doesn’t begin until Sunday anyway. Portis Jr. this season against the Indiana Pacers averaged 10.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 1.2 APG in five games played. During the regular season, he averaged 13.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 1.3 APG.
Khris Middleton
Middleton has no choice but to be the second-reliable scoring option for the Milwaukee Bucks offense with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined. Khris Middleton received that contract extension this offseason from Milwaukee. If he does not perform or gets injured in this series, there will be a ton of regret about that contract he got.
In five games this season against the Indiana Pacers, Khris Middleton averaged 18.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 5.6 APG. He will need to be reliable in this series for the Bucks to advance to the second round.