2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals: (2) Boston Celtics vs (3) Milwaukee Bucks - page 2

No Middleton is very tough for Milwaukee but I'm going to go with Bucks in 6. I think Giannis will be slowed down but will still give you about 25 on decent efficiency. The Bucks' role players - like Grayson - will need to hit their open threes but I think they can get it done if they have no more injury misfortune.

I am a big-time believer in Boston's defense but they don't have a great matchup for Giannis IMO and they also have to deal with Milwaukee's defense. I think Milwaukee's defense will impact Boston's offense more than Boston's defense will impact Milwaukee's offense... Brooklyn is a pretty trash defensive squad so Boston is going to be challenged to work their offense to find good shots in this series much moreso than in the sweep they just completed.

Really looking forward to this one. Wish Middleton was playin but this is about to be a good bout

Nets were 15th in Defensive Efficiency and Bucks were 14th

Celtics better take advantage of them too.

Bucks were missing Lopez one of their most key defenders for almost the entire regular season. They patchworked by playing Giannis more minutes at C and with Bobby Portis. Neither are bad defenders but neither is capable of really filling Lopez's role. Giannis and Portis don't offer much rim protection as primary defenders though they both pitch in on rim protection as help defenders. I think their defense with Lopez back is substantially better. I don't think those numbers are very meaningful without additional context. IMO it was impressive that the Bucks were still a middling defense without the core piece of their defensive system

Bucks were missing Lopez one of their most key defenders for almost the entire regular season. They patchworked by playing Giannis more minutes at C and with Bobby Portis. Neither are bad defenders but neither is capable of really filling Lopez's role. Giannis and Portis don't offer much rim protection as primary defenders though they both pitch in on rim protection as help defenders. I think their defense with Lopez back is substantially better. I don't think those numbers are very meaningful without additional context. IMO it was impressive that the Bucks were still a middling defense without the core piece of their defensive system

I voted Celtics in 6 but it might be 5 or dare I say 4. No Middleton is a big blow. That defense is crazy! I can't wait to see how they play d on Giannis

.