Milwaukee Bucks: 5 keys to series vs. Celtics

5. Settle on a playoff rotation

One area where the Bucks have struggled this season is settling on a consistent rotation. The league’s best teams stand out in a familiarity of substitution patterns, with star players settling into a rhythm of when to expect to be on and off the court.

That has not been the case for the Bucks, who have deployed their main players — and reserves — in a myriad of combinations. Some games Giannis Antetokounmpo was sent out for the first 18 minutes of a half before sitting for a few minutes — a bizarre and ineffective long-term plan.

A week ago, we recommended a playoff rotation to interim coach Joe Prunty, and hopefully he will read and apply. With Malcolm Brogdon only making his season debut Monday, will Prunty have enough confidence to play him major minutes right away? And how will a couple of hot shooting nights by Shabazz Muhammad affect things?

Prunty needs to lean on his stars without gassing them too early, and pick the combinations and lineups he likes the most and stick with them. As his opposite on the other bench Brad Stevens counters, Prunty should make adjustments only when absolutely necessary. If he coaches like the favorite, his team should respond.