3 things to watch with Milwaukee Bucks on the road against Boston Celtics

Following a big win on the road yesterday afternoon, the Milwaukee Bucks are back in action tonight against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. These two teams met once already in Boston a month ago, but they look vastly different than they did then.

In that game, all three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jaylen Brown were out with various injuries and illnesses. Dennis Schroder blew up with 38 points on 67.1 percent true shooting in a game that the Celtics won 122-113 in overtime after an incredibly clutch shot from Grayson Allen, who finished with 21 points and five made 3-pointers.

It’s unlikely we’ll see performances like that from those two again, especially a game-tying shot from Allen, but this should be a much better game with each team getting their stars back (barring rest from the Bucks on the second night of a back-to-back).

Khris Middleton will have his biggest test of the season against the Boston Celtics

I feel like every game preview of late, I’m spotlighting something about Khris Middleton and whether he is playing well or struggling. He had a solid game against the New York Knicks, who were missing R.J. Barrett and he would have been one of Middleton’s primary defenders.

Tonight, we’ll see him play against his biggest test both offensively and defensively when he matches up with the Boston Celtics’ star wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Last season, it’s fair to say that Middleton struggled against those two, scoring 20 points on 49.2 percent true shooting. He had more success against Tatum (56.3 percent true shooting) than against Brown (35.7 percent true shooting), but it will still be a tough night for the Bucks’ second star.

There’s still patience needed for Middleton as it’s unlikely he’ll shoot as poorly from the midrange as he has so far and it’s encouraging that he’s shot well from 3-point range and is getting to the line at a high rate despite the NBA rules crackdown.

If Middleton plays tonight (there’s no guarantee with the Bucks on the second night of a back-to-back), he will be defended well all night by two very good wing defenders while also guarding them at the other end. He allowed 36 points on 62.3 percent true shooting against both Tatum and Brown last season, so it is no small task.