There is optimism that two Bucks stars will return the lineup Saturday

NBA Insider Shams Charania reported on FanDuel TV that the Milwaukee Bucks are “optimistic” that both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton will be able to play in the team’s next game Saturday in Cleveland. Jrue Holiday has been holding down the fort for the Bucks since last Thursday in Miami, and the team has gone 2-2 in the four games Antetokounmpo has missed.

In that time, Holiday has averaged 27 points, setting his season high on Monday when he scored 35 points. He broke it again Tuesday with 37. Holiday has been the lone ranger of the Big 3 lately and has also averaged 9.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. He has been efficient with his scoring as well, shooting 59.4 percent from the field and 48.3 percent from behind the 3-point line.

What to expect with Giannis Antetokounmpo back for the Milwaukee Bucks:

Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed four straight games. If he returns Saturday in Cleveland as is the expectation, he will have had 10 days off between games.

Antetokounmpo previously missed a little bit of time earlier this season when he was out from November 8th until November 14th. Giannis had three games of field goal shooting below 46 percent and then went absolutely nuclear and scored 30 or more points for eight straight games. That said, Milwaukee Bucks fans may need to give Giannis a couple get right games against the Cavaliers Saturday and the Pistons on Monday to get back to his MVP-level ways.

What to expect with Khris Middleton back for the Milwaukee Bucks:

As I stressed patience for Milwaukee Bucks fans for a few games for Giannis Antetokounmpo, there will require a longer period of patience for Khris Middleton. It is important for Bucks fans to remember that Khris Middleton has only played in seven games for the Bucks this season. Additionally, the Big 3 of Holiday, Middleton and Antetokounmpo have spent a total of 69 minutes together on the floor all season.

As Milwaukee Bucks fans, we know what Khris Middleton is capable of as a player alongside Antetokounmpo and Holiday who can give the Bucks offensive firepower whether in transition or in the half-court, which are skills that have definitely been missing in some of the Bucks’ losses this season.

Middleton did have a down season last year, but that could be in part to the lingering injuries he was dealing with that he had corrected in the offseason. Hopefully that was the main factor in the decreased performance for Middleton last season and after a few weeks of NBA action, we can see the All-Star level performer we know Khris Middleton can be.

Big 3 back together for the Milwaukee Bucks:

Over the course of Middleton’s absence, the Bucks have had a bit of a roller coaster ride with their role players, some being thrust into the starting lineup, like Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis. Others like Grayson Allen, Joe Ingles and Brook Lopez have picked up the scoring slack admirably. However, having Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton back in the lineup will have a trickle-down effect on the entire roster.

Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis will be back to coming off the bench as the main support roles, which will strengthen the Milwaukee Bucks’ second unit. Having the team complete should spell doom and potential fear for the rest of the Eastern Conference as the Bucks have stayed afloat even in the absence of two of their best players.

Having Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton back will give us the feeling of the Milwaukee Bucks returning to their place among the list of title favorites in the NBA.

As we get closer to Saturday’s game in Cleveland, stay tuned for updates on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton’s availability.