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2019 NBA Playoffs: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics preview

By Shea Norling

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 21: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 21, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 21: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 21, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images
Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images /

Key Matchup: Gordon Hayward vs. Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic

Gordon Hayward’s 2018-19 season has been a tumultuous battle to regain the All-Star form he once possessed as a member of the Utah Jazz. The story of his horrific ankle injury, followed by setbacks and a second surgery, have been beaten to death this season as Hayward struggled to find a rhythm. Good thing too, because the former Butler Bulldog has put much of that talk to rest with his play of late.

Hayward was dazzled in the Celtics’ Game 4 victory over the Indiana Pacers in round one, and it is a certainty that similar performances will be needed should the Cs hope to upset Milwaukee. While Hayward is likely to draw on-ball defense from Khris Middleton, the point of attack for the Boston forward should be the Milwaukee centers.

Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic provide some of the most effective spacing in the NBA. Centers with the ability to stretch the defense and shoot the 3 efficiently are at a premium in today’s league. One aspect of the big man’s game that falls by the wayside as a result is defense — an aspect that Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has shown an ability to expose in the past.

One of Boston’s marquee wins this season was a blowout victory in Oakland, when they steamrolled the Golden State Warriors in early March. Gordon Hayward exploded for 30 points, and the point of attack was the Golden State centers, particularly DeMarcus Cousins.

On these two plays, Brad Stevens deploys a crafty pick-and-roll, where Aron Baynes screens for Hayward, forcing Hayward’s defender to switch, giving Cousins a hard contest. Hayward gets a clean look at the rim from the 3-point line, and converts both.

On this play, the Celtics run the same Baynes-Hayward pick and roll, but Baynes capitalizes on bringing Jonas Jerebko out of the paint, opening up a straight-line drive for Hayward who draws the foul.

If the Celtics are able to employ this pick-and-roll on Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic, and essentially play them off the floor, the offense will be able to open up as well as it has all season.

Should Hayward move into the starting lineup, as ESPN‘s Zach Lowe thinks may happen, Stevens can simply ask Al Horford to play the role of Aron Baynes in freeing Lopez and Mirotic.

An explosive Gordon Hayward playing with the ball in his hand could be enough for the Celtics to pull off the upset, but consistency will be the leading factor. His performance against Golden State was just one game, and while he followed it up with a buzzer-beater against the Sacramento Kings and a flurry of quality games, he was far from posting 30 points a night. Limiting Hayward’s offensive scoring will be the key for the Bucks’ defense.