Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 4 vs. Celtics

3. Jabari Parker is truly back

Up until Game 3, Jabari Parker was a non-factor in the Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff run. He had scored two points in total and looked like a shadow of the player we know he is. Then came Game 3, where he had 17 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two assists in 30 minutes of game time.

However, it is difficult to say someone is back based on one game. Fast forward to Game 4 and the numbers do not lie. Parker had 16 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals in just 24 minutes.

The effect of Parker being back is felt through the entire team. Not only does he excite the crowd with his dunks, but going 2-of-3 from deep changes the entire second unit and how it is defended.

When Parker, Tony Snell, Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova are on the court together, all four of them can shoot the long ball. This allows Antetokounmpo to have massive amounts of space in the paint.

It was this Boston Celtics team that showed the league how to stop the Milwaukee Bucks at the start of the season by packing the paint. With Parker shooting the long ball well, all four defenders need to stick on their player now, meaning this strategy is no longer usable.