Milwaukee Bucks: Potential turning points in Boston Celtics series

The game slows down

Stevens will certainly run some great out-of-bounds plays over the course of this series, but the Celtics’ strength is not offense. Especially without Kyrie and Hayward, Boston has won a lot of games by simply not allowing their opponent to score enough points.

The Celtics were first in defensive rating this season, allowing just 103.9 points per 100 possessions, and 23rd in pace, at 96 possessions per 48 minutes. Without Kyrie on the floor, Boston has been even stingier, allowing 99.7 points per 100 possessions. The Celtics have actually moved a little faster without their star guard, with a pace of 97.31.

Still, the evidence shows that Boston would prefer a game with a low score. When the Celtics held their opponent to less than 100 points in the 2017-18 regular season, Boston was 36-5. The Celtics were 13-1 when they held opponents to less than 90 points.

Considering Boston has a 101.9 offensive rating with Kyrie Irving off of the floor, which would be fifth-worst in the league ahead of four tanking teams, it’s pretty apparent the Celtics’ strength is going to be defense. Boston can and will hit threes, but holding the Bucks to less than 100 points is going to be big for the Celtics considering how rarely they lose when teams fail to hit that mark.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Top 10 moments of 2017-18 regular season

This series might end up being an ugly one for that and other reasons, but regardless of who comes out on top, these potential turning points will matter, either because they happened or because they didn’t.