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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 Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /

Predictions

This will be a series of matchups. It’s difficult to highlight the key matchup, as well as the biggest questions, because there are just so many. Viewers, be warned: You won’t want to look away from this series, as it should be one of the most competitive of the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

While Milwaukee has the best player in this series, without question, Boston will deploy the best postseason performer in the conference in Kyrie Irving. Kyrie’s performance against Indiana in the first round felt effortless, and he still put together 22.5 points, 7.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game on .427/.423/.882 shooting splits.

Kyrie even said his 37-point outburst in Game 2 was “peaceful.” It takes a rare and special player to find peace during the most intense time of year, but it feels as though the All-Star point guard has found freedom on the floor during the postseason.

The ace-in-the-hole for the Celtics will be 3-point shooting. Milwaukee, like all Mike Budenholzer teams, has a proclivity for allowing wide-open attempts at the 3-point line. According to NBA.com, the Bucks allowed the most “wide-open” attempts in the league. Boston was able to convert on 38 percent of such looks in the regular season, and 39.3 percent against the Pacers.

Conversely, the Bucks were one of six teams in the top 10 of 3-point attempts to convert below the league average on those attempts. Boston won’t make it any easier on them, as it ranked top-10 in 3-point percentage allowed.

The Bucks have taken the next step. They proved they can win a playoff series, and their surefire MVP, who is still under-25, took an enormous step in his development curve.

The Celtics, however, are playing like the team many expected them to be at the start of the year. Hayward is finally healthy after a long journey back, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have found new life in the playoffs, and the steady and more-experienced hands of Horford and Irving can guide them through to a third straight Eastern Conference Finals berth.

Next. Top 100 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season. dark

Prediction: Celtics in 6 games