3 things to watch for as Milwaukee Bucks return against Houston Rockets
It’s been an eventful December so far for the Milwaukee Bucks. They played 11 games in 18 days to begin the month, which ended with a blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers where they had none of their five starters and saw two rookies play over 40 minutes each.
They then had three days of rest to recuperate and have come out healthier at the other end. What’s their reward? Another back-to-back that starts tonight against the Houston Rockets at Fiserv Forum. The two teams played earlier this month, in Houston, where the Bucks won 123-114. The Rockets will still be without number two overall pick Jalen Green and (possibly) Kevin Porter Jr. once again, but they’ve played well without them during their lengthy absences.
Houston is one of the few teams that hasn’t been ravaged by COVID health and safety protocols, so we’ll see the majority of their team in this one while the Bucks still have a couple of key players lingering in them.
How will Khris Middleton look in his first game back for the Milwaukee Bucks?
After what appeared to be a disastrous injury for Khris Middleton and the Milwaukee Bucks turned out to be relatively minor, the Bucks’ second star is no longer listed on the injury report and will be back tonight against the Rockets after only missing three games.
He was initially listed as probable for their game against the New Orleans Pelicans last week but ultimately didn’t play. The three days off came at the exact right time for the Bucks and Middleton in particular with his injury. Giving him time to rest without the pressure to return earlier than needed with the Bucks down so many bodies.
He’s had an up-and-down season to this point. He initially struggled with his 3-point shot but has since regained his rhythm in that area, but has lost the touch on his mid-range jumper as well as finishing at the rim. In his last 15 games, Middleton is shooting 37 percent on midrange jumpers, which ranks in the 42nd percentile among his position group, per Cleaning the Glass (subscription required).
Middleton’s last game against the Rockets was a microcosm of his season. He scored 21 points and went 5-of-11 from 3-point range to go along with eight rebounds and five assists but went 1-of-7 on his 2-point attempts. He’s getting to the line more than he has in any season under head coach Mike Budenholzer, leading to a respectable near 54 percent true shooting.
Perhaps getting some time off can allow Middleton to relax and find his bearings a bit. He’ll be asked to do more until Giannis Antetokounmpo returns from health and safety protocols, so there will be ample opportunity for him to get shots up.