Milwaukee Bucks: Analyzing Khris Middleton/DeMarre Carroll Matchup

Offense

If the Bucks are to have any chance in this series, they’re going to need their sweet shooting star to carry his weight around. DeMarre Carroll turned 30 this season, coming off surgery on his right knee during his first year in Toronto.

He saw a decrease in his minutes per game and steals per game in the 2016-2017 season. The Toronto wing could find it difficult to play heavy minutes chasing Middleton around the perimeter, while also banging bodies with him in the post.

Khris will struggle making his pump fakes effective against this heady opponent. Carroll is good at moving laterally, allowing him to recover quickly.

Instead, he must rely on the ball moving around the perimeter, kick outs after Giannis Antetokounmpo compresses the defense, or making plays for himself off the dribble. He should be able to take DeMarre Carroll off the dribble effectively, so long as he can hit his long armed floater.

Middleton should also be able to move Carroll into the paint, but will find it difficult to create space for himself while doing so, thus the need for his contested floater to drop. Middleton has been relying on putting up his points within the three-point line. Without the three ball, it’ll be even more crucial for him to bring along his soft touch around the basket.