Bucks news: Khris Middleton says Milwaukee's bench 'can compete against other teams' starters'

Staring small forward Khris Middleton says the Bucks' bench "can compete against other teams' starters." The team is 2 games away from the NBA Finals.

Milwaukee Bucks staring small forward Khris Middleton says the Bucks' bench “can compete against other teams' starters.”

In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors, the Bucks' bench scored 54 points. Milwaukee's bench is led by George Hill, Ersan Ilyasova, Pat Connaughton and Malcolm Brogdon.

In Game 2, Hill scored 13 points, Ilyasova had 17 and Brogdon poured in 14. The Bucks scored 125 points and have a 2-0 lead in the series.

“Well, the thing is, that's the beauty about our team,” Ilyasova said, via Malika Andrews of ESPN. “Everybody wants to look at the bench. We have a deep bench, and the whole season we rely on each other. Obviously, in this game, we kind of learned a lesson from Game 1 and everybody just from the gates was ready, and especially the bench.

“I think the starting five set the tone, and we have to just do the same thing.”

The Bucks are obviously going to go as far as superstar swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo can take them, but the play of the bench is important, too.

Milwaukee is a complete team. Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe are the main cogs on offense, with Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic stretching the floor with their outside shooting. The bench then comes into the game and imposes their will.

Milwaukee is two games away from reaching the NBA Finals.