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NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks

By Jake Weinbach

Dec 13, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks
Apr 7, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) moves to the basket between Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill (3) and center Bobby Portis (9) in the 3rd quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks – Who will win the defensive battle?

Heading into this series, both the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks have elite, high-powered defenses that rank atop the league. The defensive execution will be something to monitor throughout this matchup of versatility, length, and toughness.

In the regular season, Boston had the top defensive rating in the league at 106.2 and held opponents to a league-best 43.4 percent shooting from the field, per NBA.com/stats. In addition, the Celtics ranked second in the league with 5.8 blocks per game and only allowed 42.5 points in the paint per game, which also ranked second.

Boston has a superb group of skillful defenders that understand their role and play with heart, grit, and physicality. Marcus Smart was the Defensive Player of the Year this season, Jayson Tatum’s defensive abilities are still extremely undervalued, Robert Williams III should make an All-Defensive Team this season, Al Horford has resurfaced as the defensive anchor that the Celtics have expected him to be, Jaylen Brown has outstanding versatility as a wing, and the role players such as Daniel Theis, Grant Williams, and Derrick White are all promising, reliable defenders as well.

The Celtics had five players in the top 20 for Defensive Win Shares this season, according to Basketball-Reference: Tatum (1st), Williams (5th), Horford (6th), Smart (12th), Brown (15th).

Overall, the defensive efficiency from this group has been very impressive and could swarm the Bucks with problems. It should be tough for Milwaukee to generate offense against Boston’s switch-heavy defensive schemes, especially without Khris Middleton’s shot-making ability.

Although, the Bucks could overhaul the Celtics defensively too. After tearing apart Chicago, the Bucks currently hold the top Defensive Rating in the NBA Playoffs at 94.4 and only allowed 95.2 points per game to the Bulls across those five contests. Budenholzer’s defense was about league average during the year, but it’s back to being a superior force like last season’s expedition.

Of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday are some of the most skilled defenders in the league with their admirable versatility, athleticism, and awareness, but Brook Lopez is an exceptional defensive anchor, Wesley Matthews and Jevon Carter can annoy the hell out of you, and the whole rotation can execute on the defensive end.

Boston could take advantage of Milwaukee’s drop coverage with plenty of guys that can efficiently score from the perimeter, but the Bucks can supply different looks that include smaller lineups and switching defensively that could make the Celtics uncomfortable.

Defense wins championships, and defense will be a key determinant throughout this blockbuster series.

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