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

NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Celtics vs Bucks – Which role players will rise to the occasion?

In every playoff series, there are always role players that step up when needed most. While the superstardom of Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston’s Jayson Tatum will attract the headlines of this second-round matchup, the role players in the series should become the difference-makers.

For the Bucks, it’s always been Bobby Portis, who’s consistently been a star in his role across the entire season. Additionally, Grayson Allen was the bright spot last series in Chicago, and Pat Connaughton is coming off a 20-point performance on 6-of-9shooting from beyond the arc during Game 5 against the Bulls.

Portis will likely maintain his starting spot in place of Khris Middleton and continue to provide value offensively, but Allen and Connaughton will need to keep maximizing their respective roles off the bench if the Bucks are going to come out on top.

Grayson Allen, who’s averaging 20.6 points per game in the last three games and shooting 60.0 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from three-point territory this postseason, will be relied upon offensively to score the ball at an efficient rate to make up for the loss of Middleton as the Bucks continue to use Allen in his spots.

Wesley Matthews, George Hill, Jevon Carter, and maybe even Serge Ibaka could make a difference in this series too. Needless to say, the Bucks will need Antetokounmpo’s co-star, Jrue Holiday, to be at his best.

As good as Giannis has been, defeating the Celtics in a seven-game series will take much more than just his two-way brilliance. Holiday’s skill set needs to be on full display while limiting turnovers, staying decisive, and attacking under control against Boston.

From the Celtics’ perspective, their role players and rotation have been consistent since the All-Star break, but who will stand out against the Bucks? Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard had their moments throughout the Brooklyn series, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they persistently produce efficient contributions off the bench.

Grant Williams is scoring 11.3 points per game on 50.0 percent shooting from three in these NBA Playoffs while Pritchard is shooting 42.9 percent from behind the arc. Since the Bucks can be exploited from three-point land, those guys could continue to be difference-makers for the Celtics in their respective roles.

Robert Williams, Daniel Theis, and Derrick White are also solid contributors that complement the core. Boston has trustworthy, concrete depth alongside Tatum, Brown, and Smart which makes them versatile and dangerous across all aspects. It could work in their favor against the Bucks, but it’ll be interesting to see who steps up for each team during each game of the series.

All in all, the superstar duel, defensive tussle, and impact of the role players will become crucial storylines to follow throughout this electrifying matchup between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.