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Takeaways from Bucks' preseason, including Giannis' workload, Middleton's injury and more

As long as the Milwaukee Bucks have star Giannis Antetokounmpo in his prime, they begin every NBA season with championship expectations.

Despite losing Khris Middleton, arguably their second-best player, for the final 10 games of the 2022 playoffs with a sprained MCL in his left knee, the Bucks took the eventual Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics to seven games before losing in an epic second-round playoff series. Milwaukee enters the 2022-23 season with the third-highest odds -- behind last year's two Finals teams, Boston and the Golden State Warriors -- to win its second NBA championship in three years, according to Caesars Sportsbook.