Heading into the 2017-18 NBA season, there was great optimism for the Milwaukee Bucks to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, due to firing head coach Jason Kidd early in the season and major injuries to key players, the Bucks are currently 42-37.

As the Bucks could finish anywhere from the sixth to the eighth spot in the conference, Khris Middleton has been paying close attention to the standings according to Matt Velazquez of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

“It’s just a crazy situation, that’s always how it is with those last couple teams in the playoff race each year,” Bucks wing Khris Middleton said. “Out there in the West it’s crazy, too. Everybody’s paying really, really close attention to it, trying to figure out who we’re going to get matched up with.”

With the Bucks currently matched up against the Boston Celtics, Middleton is aware of their injuries, but does not want to take them lightly:

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“I mean, everybody knows with Boston the issues they’ve gone through,” Middleton said, referring to the Celtics' numerous injuries, including losing all-star Kyrie Irving for the season.

“They’re not the same team they were before. Still can’t take them lightly, they still have some great players over there. Of course we would like the season to end today, to be in the seventh spot. We’re happy to be in the playoffs, we wish we were a higher seed, but for now, we’ll take where we’re at.”

Since the Bucks have not had much playoff success, they cannot take any team lightly in the first round. While Boston is dealing with major injuries, Milwaukee could find themselves matched up against the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, or Cleveland Cavaliers.

In the final three games of the regular season, the Bucks will take on the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Sixers. As Philadelphia may have an opportunity to rest their players in the final game, the Bucks have a legitimate chance of establishing momentum heading into the playoffs.