The status of Khris Middleton has already played a huge factor in the Eastern Conference second-round series between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks before the first round has even come to a close.
Middleton hasn't played since Game 2 of the opening round against the Chicago Bulls when he suffered a sprained MCL. That injury cost him the rest of the first round and apparently will keep him sidelined against Boston as well.
According to multiple reports, including Shams Charania, Middleton is expected to miss the entire second round with his Grade 2 sprain.
As a result, the series betting odds between Bucks and Celtics is back to its opening number.
The SuperBook was one of the first sportsbooks to the market last week, making the Celtics -200 favorites and Bucks +175 underdogs. Those odds eventually dropped all the way to Celtics -150 and Bucks +130 before rising back up to the original numbers.
Boston is -200 at Caesars; Milwaukee is +170. BetMGM has the Celtics favored in the series -185 to Milwaukee's +150.
Middleton averaged 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game during the regular season. He struggled in Game 1 against the Bulls, scoring just 11 points compared to seven turnovers. But he bounced back with 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting from 3-point range in 33 minutes.
The Bucks took down the Bulls in five games. The Celtics swept the Brooklyn Nets.
Stepping up in Middleton's absence has been Grayson Allen. Allen came off the bench to pour in 11 3s in the three games without Middleton. He scored 22, 27 and 13 points. However, it's been Wesley Matthews starting in Middleton's place.
