The Boston Celtics have run away with the Eastern Conference. With 11 games remaining, they secured the first seed. They also hold the best offensive and net ratings in the NBA and are second in defensive rating. As such, it’s hard to pinpoint which team in the Eastern Conference could rival the Celtics for a trip to the NBA Finals.
In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Dan Favale shared his opinion on why the Milwaukee Bucks are the most logical roadblock in the East and why the two teams could be on a collision course for an Eastern Conference Finals blockbuster. However, Favale notes how the Celtics roster poses some questions the Bucks must answer.
“Who does Giannis Antetokounmpo guard?,” Favale wrote. “Should he handle Kristaps Porziņģis so Brook Lopez isn’t yanked away from the paint? What does that do to Giannis’ roaming capabilities? And if they put Antetokounmpo elsewhere, does having Lopez on Porziņģis stamp out the former’s primary defensive value? Milwaukee is my answer despite these concerns.”
The Celtics and Bucks have faced each other twice this season. However, we’ve not really learned much about the potential matchup, as both coaches have kept their cards close to their chests.
Celtics Lab 247: Stretch run, blurred lines; new media and gambling in the NBA with Sopan Deb https://t.co/8eEPDxtqHM pic.twitter.com/FjpFZpvyzm
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 25, 2024
Nevertheless, Boston should have enough offensive and defensive firepower to overcome a Bucks team that has struggled to build a defensive identity this season and underwent a coaching change midway through the season. Boston is the favorite for a reason. Now, they need to prove everyone right.
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