The Boston Celtics chose a bad time to lay an egg. After winning the last 32 of 39 games, the team put in a lackluster performance to put it mildly. After dominating the Nets in round by playing a physical brand of defense it felt as if the Bucks executed the Celtics against them. Even the usual raucous TD Garden crowd never seem quite up for the fight because they don’t necessarily hate the Bucks like the Kyrie Irving led Brookyln Nets. However, there is no need to panic and jump ship like many analyst who picked the Celtics only to backtrack after game 1. In this article, we preview the adjustments the men in green must make to even the series.
1. Attack quicker and take the open midrange-the Bucks defensive strategy is the same they employ in the regular season pack the paint and force you to make three pointers. In order to combat this strategy, the Celtics need to attack quicker before they get into their half court set defense. In Game 1, The Celtics made just 10 2-pointers in their loss against the Bucks. According to Espn Stats & Info that is the 2nd-fewest in any playoff game all-time since the Rockets had 9 against the Spurs in 2017. It is also the fewest made 2-pointers in any game in Celtics history. Imagine that stat based on the storied history of this franchise. It indicates that the team settled for too many three pointers in going 18 of 50 from distance. Therefore, they need to attack the man closing out perhaps leading to more midrange and floaters in the lane.
2. Turnovers and converting them-the Celtics lost the turnover margin 18 to 14. Fourteen turnovers and holding a team to 101 is a goof defensive effort in the modern NBA. The problem for the Celtics is they failed to convert turnovers into points. The Bucks won this decisively 27 to 8 and in the end was deciding factor which led to the a 12 point loss. If the Celtics are able to force that many turnovers in Game 2 then the tide could turn in their favour.
3. Continue to make Giannis a passer- Game 1 proved why Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the league. The Celtics did bother superstar forward because he went 9 for 25 from the field, 6 of 11 from the free throw line for just 24 points. The Celtics did an incredible job to limit him using a wall but he still managed to fine ways to make his team better finishing with 12 assist and 13 rebounds. However, as much as the Celtics limited Giannis, they will want to cut down his assist total which means flying out to the shooters quicker.
4. How healthy is Marcus Smart? Smart left in the second quarter of Game 1 with a shoulder stinger and a thigh contusion. Smart is the heart of the Celtics and the unofficial captain of the team. He has been listed as questionable for the game. I expect him to dig in and play this game but the Celtics need him to be effective to limit Jrue Holiday. Ime will need to manage his minutes but with the long lay-off until Saturday for Game 3, Smart could gut it out and help his team even this series.
5. Jaylen Brown needs to dominate his matchup-in the sweep of the Brooklyn Nets, Jaylen averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. After the series ended reports emerged that he was dealing with an hamstring injury. He has made it clear that he is healthy and he has not been listed on the team’s injury report. However, in game 1 he looked tentative, made sloppy plays and did not looking in rhythm. He had a bad shooting night going 4 for 13 from the field and just 12 points overall. With no Kris Middleton for the Bucks, Jaylen needs to dominate his matchup and if he does then his team should profit immensely.
Predictions-this is a must win game for the Celtics if this series is to go very long. Jaylen Brown will come out in attack mode to make amends for the poor game 1 performance. They will try to make the Bucks pay for their turnovers and the Boston home crowd will push their team to a close victory. Celtics 102-Bucks 98.