Milwaukee Bucks: Analyzing Giannis Antetokounmpo/Al Horford matchup

Conclusion

There’s very little doubt to who will come out on top in this matchup. While Horford is a five-time All-Star and a playoff veteran, Antetokounmpo is a top-5 player in the NBA right now.

Rather than who will get the better of the matchup, the question then switches to how close can Horford possibly keep it.

With Irving and Hayward both on the sidelines, Horford is undeniably Boston’s best player. As a result, he’s going to be asked to do more than he usually has to in this series. That may not be all that feasible for Horford, but if he could do anything to eat into Antetokounmpo’s impact that could be just as valuable for the Celtics.

Over the early years of his NBA career, Antetokounmpo has shown an ability to be able to rise to the occasion and perform at his best on the biggest of stages, though. This series should fit that bill, and you’d have to be brave to put it past Antetokounmpo to deliver something spectacular.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Recent history with Boston Celtics

Either way, this matchup will provide a big test for Giannis, and it’s one that, if he passes, could well push him into an entirely different stratosphere of stardom.