© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks gear up for a highly anticipated duel with Jrue Holiday and the Boston Celtics
Shortly after the Milwaukee Bucks iced their fifth straight win via a 142-129 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night, the topic immediately shifted to the team’s next assignment.
It was only logical that Milwaukee’s next game was instantly brought up as the Bucks’ next outing on Wednesday night provides an interesting storyline.
Milwaukee will be going up against Jrue Holiday and the Boston Celtics in what could be the Bucks’ toughest test yet in the young season.
Huge game coming up
“It’s going to be a big game, against a really good team, and against our former teammate Jrue, it’s going to be a fun game,” Khris Middleton said after the Bucks dismantled the Wizards to build their longest winning streak in the season so far.
Boston and Milwaukee are touted as some of the most prominent title contenders this season, and they have lived up to their lofty billing.
Boston is currently at the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference with a league-best 11-3 record. The Bucks are not far behind, as their current streak allowed them to move up to third place with a 10-3 record. Philadelphia, another East giant, is in second place with a 10-3 slate.
A familiar face stands in Milwaukee’s way
The most interesting plot in the upcoming duel is the first meeting between Milwaukee and its former point guard.
Milwaukee pulled off a major deal in the offseason when it acquired seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. But in acquiring Lillard, the Bucks had to part ways with Holiday, who played three seasons in Milwaukee and played a crucial role in the team’s championship in 2021.
Holiday has been a huge contributor to the Celtics’ strong start this season. The two-time All-Star is averaging 12.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, adding firepower to an already potent duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
On the same night that Milwaukee preserved what by far its longest winning streak this season, the Celtics absorbed a stunning loss when they bowed to the lowly Charlotte Hornets in overtime, 118-121.
The disappointing loss only makes the Celtics more motivated when they square up with the visiting Bucks.
For Middleton, a duel with Boston will certainly be a tought test.
“It would be a great test where we are at this point in the season,” said Middleton.
