Khris Middleton vs. Mikal Bridges

Regardless of whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo plays in this series, Jrue Holiday is not only going to have to step up for the Bucks, but Khris Middleton will also have to continue to step up for them. The only problem though for Middleton is that he is running into a matchup against Mikal Bridges, one of the better two-way wings in the entire league. 

At just 24-years-old, Bridges has quickly turned himself into one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA and with his length, he has created a headache for teams all year long. Middleton found success against him during the regular season, but these are the playoffs and more specifically, this is the NBA Finals! Legacies are created here and this Khris Middleton vs. Mikal Bridges matchup is definitely going to be a key matchup to watch in this series. 

Mikal Bridges against Khris Middleton offensively is not going to be too big of a deal, especially since Bridges is not a focal point for the Suns offensively, but him being able to contain and defend Middleton will be absolutely huge for Phoenix. 

Khris Middleton has been playing some of the best basketball of his career over the last few weeks and has really stepped up the last two games with Antetokounmpo sidelined. In the Bucks last two games, Middleton has averaged 29.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and has shot 47.6% from the floor. 

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In the Bucks’ playoff series against the Nets, Khris Middleton also stepped up in a big way offensively, as he scored 38 points in a key Game 6 win for Milwaukee in that series. He has displayed his ability to go on big scoring “flurries” throughout these playoffs and this is something Mikal Bridges cannot allow happen. 

Whichever team caves in defensively could be in danger of losing this series, which is why Mikal Bridges guarding Khris Middleton is a focal point in this NBA Finals matchup. He is going to have to find ways to keep Middleton out on the perimeter and away from the paint because over the last few weeks, the Bucks’ forward has been almost unstoppable as soon as he gets either inside the paint or to the free-throw line in the playoffs. 

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With Gianns Antetokounmpo likely not to be at 100% at any point in this series, a lot of the scoring weight for the Bucks will fall on the shoulders of Khris Middleton, which is why he will have to step up for them. If Mikal Bridges can get under his skin though and be a pest on him defensively though, the Suns will have the upper-hand in this series.