Five reasons the Bucks are brewing a rare 7-2 seed upset over the Celtics
With Milwaukee’s 104-102 victory in Game 4 against Boston on Sunday, the Bucks tied the best-of-7 first-round series at 2-2.
The Bucks took advantage of their home court and need to find a way to channel that improved offense and defense on the road. Jabari Parker, Tony Snell, Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova came up big at home along with the reliable and valuable production from All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
Game 5 is in Boston on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV).
Rotation changes: Maker/Delly
Everything is a small sample size in the playoffs, but in Milwaukee’s two victories, it has played much better with Maker and Dellavedova getting minutes. Not necessarily at the same time though.
When the 7-1 Maker, who is in his second season, is on the court in the past two games, the Bucks score 131.2 points and allow 103.7 points per 100 possessions. He’s not scoring a ton but he helps space the floor, can rebound and protect the rim (10 blocks in the past two games). He is a difference-Maker right now.
When Maker is paired with Parker, Milwaukee has scored 128.1 points and allowed 96.2 points per 100 possessions in 39 minutes in Games 3 and 4.
In 33 minutes the past two games, Dellavedova has made an impact, too. Boston has scored just 91.9 points per 100 possessions with Dellavedova in the game.
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Block party
Milwaukee has blocked 26 shots in its two home games – 13 in each game. Maker, Parker and Antetokounmpo have 19 of them. The Bucks have also forced Boston into 40.7% shooting in Milwaukee and have found a way to limit Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier and Greg Monroe.
Bucks getting help from Parker and Snell
Jabari Parker complained about his minutes and role after Milwaukee’s Game 2 loss. Play better and with a purpose and those minutes and increased role will come. Parker had 17 points, five rebounds and two blocks in Game 3 and 16 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals in Game 4. That’s what the Bucks need from Parker – on the road in Game 5.
Tony Snell scored just nine points in the past two games, but when he has been on the court, good things happen for Milwaukee. The Bucks have outscored Boston by 28 points in Snell’s 28 minutes on the court in Games 3 and 4.
Boston’s injuries/youth
If there’s an opportune time for a seven seed to take advantage of a two seed, it’s in this series with the Celtics hampered by significant injuries. Forget Gordon Hayward. He’s been out since the first quarter of the first game of the season. But Kyrie Irving (knee) is done for the season, Marcus Smart (thumb) is close to returning and Daniel Thies (knee) is also out for the season.
Milwaukee doesn’t have tons of playoff experience, but Tatum is playing in his first postseason, Jaylen Brown his second postseason and Rozier is getting major minutes he didn’t get in his two previous postseasons with Boston. Shane Larkin has limited playoff experience, and Semi Ojeleye and Guerschon Yabusele are rookies.
Greek Freak and Khris
Antetokounmpo and Middleton have been productive all series and finally had help at home. Milwaukee needs their stellar play if it wants to win a game in Boston.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.5 steals and is shooting 62% from the field, including 37.5% on threes.
Middleton’s series: 25.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 61.% from the field and 62.5% on threes.
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