Take every little thing you witnessed in that four-game sweep of Brooklyn and double the depth when the Celtics attempt to rating.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a former Defensive Player of the Year. Jrue Holiday is nearly as good because it will get as a shut-down level guard — on the identical airplane as, oh, the brand new DPOY, Marcus Smart. Bobby Portis is a throwback to the black-and-blue days of the Nineties Knicks. With his temperamental nature and hard-fouling methods, this barely unhinged energy ahead would have been proper at residence with the likes of Charles Oakley and Xavier McDaniel.
So the Celtics are about to tangle with probably the greatest defensive groups within the playoff area — simply as able to shutting down opponents as themselves.
But each groups have the duty of stopping a celebrity — that’s definitely the extent Jayson Tatum has reached. As within the first spherical, Tatum will spend a great portion of his time on one of the unstoppable scoring forces in basketball, this time attempting to maintain Antetokounmpo out of the paint.
Though Khris Middleton is anticipated to return from a sprained MCL sooner or later on this sequence, the next matchups replicate the lineup Milwaukee has turned to within the lethal shooter’s absence. This alternate Bucks mixture is larger — they’d little bother within the first spherical in opposition to Chicago — and assured to present the Celtics much more bother on the offensive glass than they skilled in opposition to Brooklyn.
BIGS
Al Horford (6-foot-10, 240 kilos, fifteenth season) vs. Brook Lopez (7-foot-0, 282, 14th season): Horford was one of many most interesting defenders of Antetokounmpo early within the Bucks star’s profession, and as a result of nature of how the Celtics swap, that head-to-head confrontation is assured to materialize now. But as proven as soon as he returned to the lineup after lacking 69 video games this season to a again harm, the Bucks are much more full with Lopez’ presence at each ends of the ground. He’s a floor-spacer, passer, and nonetheless a high quality rim protector. The Celtics can have extra bother relating to paint offense because of this. But Horford has additionally heated up, not solely as a facilitator. He shot 9-for-18 from downtown in opposition to the Nets, together with 3-for-5 in Game 4. If there’s a Milwaukee weak spot, it’s in how nicely the Bucks guard the 3-point line. Horford might have an enormous sequence.
EDGE: Celtics
Rob Williams (6-foot-8, 237, 4th season) vs. Bobby Portis (6-foot-10, 250, seventh season): Portis’ presence alone ensures that this sequence will probably be extra bodily, extra bruising, and tougher within the paint. Williams, alternatively, is getting again in control after an earlier-than-expected return from left knee surgical procedure. He’ll be an enormous a part of serving to to construct a wall in opposition to Antetokounmpo, and enjoying his roaming position alongside the baseline. When in control, Williams is among the simplest rim deterrents within the NBA. And in addition to the Celtics performed in his absence in opposition to Brooklyn’s two elite scorers, Williams is an enormous purpose that the Celtics started the playoffs because the league’s top-rated defensive unit. The problem is larger right here in opposition to the defending league champions, however a rust and pain-free Williams will probably be important right here if the Celtics are to win.
EDGE: Celtics
WINGS
Jayson Tatum (6-foot-8, 210 kilos, fifth season) vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo (6-foot-11, 242, ninth season): Tatum averaged 31.3 factors in three video games in opposition to the Bucks this season. Antetokounmpo, additionally in three video games, stands at 28.3 factors and 10.3 rebounds. After main the defensive effort in opposition to Kevin Durant with distinctive outcomes, Tatum steps up in opposition to somebody even higher, as a result of Antetokounmpo stays the best total participant within the NBA. The Celtics will clearly go on the Bucks star with a rotating forged — Grant Williams, Mr. Physical, will get a crack — however Tatum routinely shines in these celebrated matchups. In a sequence of nice matchups, greatness will collide right here.
EDGE: Even
Jaylen Brown (6-foot-6, 223, sixth season) vs. Wesley Matthews (6-foot-4, 220, 14th season): Everything else thought of within the Milwaukee lineup, Matthews’ standing as a top-notch defender typically will get ignored, and from that perspective, Brown’s job on offense is about to get harder. Matthews’ capturing is at all times a priority, however Brown has improved to such a level — he’s a real three-level scorer who has been capable of carry the Celtics offense throughout a few of these notorious lulls — that his mode of assault can’t be predicted. Brown’s elite transition scoring — he’s probably the greatest within the league main the break — will determine prominently if the Celtics are capable of generate offense off of Milwaukee turnovers and lengthy misses. They had been distinctive on this space in opposition to the Nets, although as in nearly each different facet of this sequence, getting right into a movement gained’t be so seamless.
EDGE: Celtics
POINT GUARD
Marcus Smart (6-foot-3, 220, eighth season) vs. Jrue Holiday (6-foot-3, 205, thirteenth season): This stacks up as an important, type of underneath the radar matchup between the 2 finest defensive level guards within the recreation and, in Smart’s case, the DPOY. Both will swap wherever obligatory — don’t be stunned to see Holiday placing in his time on Tatum and Brown. But every will probably be consumed with the opposite, too. Holiday is a killer when left open, and Smart, who has averaged 16.5 factors and 7 assists over 4 postseason video games, is enjoying the perfect total basketball of his profession.
EDGE: Even
BENCH
Celtics (Derrick White, Daniel Theis, Payton Pritchard, Grant Williams, Aaron Nesmith, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet) vs. Bucks (Khris Middleton, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, George Hill, Jevon Carter, Serge Ibaka, Thanasis Antetokounmpo): Again, Middleton’s standing is unsure — he could not even make it again for this sequence, an enormous blow to Milwaukee — however in his absence the Bucks reserves have performed an much more essential position. Allen and Connaughton can’t be left open, and each are lively down the opposite finish. Hill, with an stomach pressure, doesn’t have a timetable for return. And the Celtics, after going for lengthy stretches of the season with solely restricted bench consistency, may very well be the deeper group at this level.
EDGE: EVEN
COACHING
Ime Udoka vs. Mike Budenholzer: This shapes up as an important chess match between two Gregg Popovich disciples — the primary Pop assistant to get a head teaching job, and the latest. Budenholzer turned near-elimination right into a title final spring. And Udoka, as evidenced by his maneuverings in opposition to Brooklyn, has proven an early profession knack for changes. Both coaches have sturdy survival instincts, like their mentor.
EDGE: Even
Source: www.bostonherald.com