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Bucks' Middleton says he'll return Wednesday vs. Heat

Bob Donnan / USA TODAY Sports

The scuffling Milwaukee Bucks appear to be on the verge of getting a shot in the arm.

During Fox Sports Wisconsin's telecast of Bucks-Nuggets on Friday night, shooting guard Khris Middleton told Bucks broadcasters Jim Paschke and Marques Johnson that he'll be suiting up for the first time this season against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

Middleton has been sidelined since tearing his hamstring during a workout in September, a injury caused by a wet-spot slip that apparently resulted in his hamstring being pulled clean off the bone. He's in the second year of a five-year, $70-million deal.

The 25-year-old averaged 18.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 steals (all career highs) last season, while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from 3-point range. He ranked third among all shooting guards in Real Plus-Minus, and the Bucks were 12.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor.

This year's Bucks have fallen on hard times after a strong start to the season, dropping nine of their past 10 games to fall out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Their defense has sunk to 21st in the NBA as they've surrendered at least 100 points in 15 straight games.

A healthy Middleton would likely be the team's best perimeter defender, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to step back in and contribute right away, given the severity of his injury and the length of his layoff. He'll almost certainly return on a strict minutes limit.

Still, the Bucks will take whatever help they can get, and Middleton will be a sight for sore eyes as they try to topple the suddenly surging Heat on Wednesday.

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