Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is expected to miss the entirety of the defending champions' second-round series against Boston Celtics.
The two sides meet for Game 1 on Sunday at TD Garden in Boston and Milwaukee are 17/10 to win in the Money Line, while the Celtics can be backed at 1/2.
Knee woes keep Middleton sidelined
Middleton has an MCL sprain and missed the final three games of the 4-1 first round series win over Chicago Bulls.
Last week the Bucks said Middleton would be re-evaluated in two weeks and that suggested he could be involved in the second round, but fresh reports indicate the 30-year-old won't be able to line up against the Celtics even if the series runs the full seven games.
The Bucks are yet to make an official announcement on Middleton's status for the series against Boston, but various sources are reporting he will not be involved.
Milwaukee did manage to win three games in a row against an injury-hit Chicago in the first round, but the best-of-seven clash with the Celtics is likely to be a far tougher assignment, after they swept Brooklyn Nets in the first round.
Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer admits losing Middleton is a blow, but he is convinced his team still have the quality to win play-off games in his absence.
Budenholzer praises Bucks back-ups
"We've been talking about the depth of the roster, the quality of the roster a lot this season," said Budenholzer after the Game 5 win over Chicago, via ESPN.
"Other guys have gotten opportunities and played well. Our defense has tightened up. We've leaned hard on that these three games.
"We miss Khris; I don't think anybody underestimates how important and how effective he is for us. While we don't have him, we've got to be our best all up and down the roster."
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