Major key for Boston – Share the offensive load
This goes without saying but, without Kyrie Irving, the Celtics are going to have to rely on a team effort on offense more than the outstanding play of individuals.
With that in mind, Game 1 will represent a great chance for them to at least partially get a monkey off their back.
If Boston can put together a complete offensive performance that sees them keep up with and surpass Milwaukee’s more star-powered efforts, they’ll grow in confidence significantly.
Since Irving went down, the Celtics have had six different players average double digits in scoring per game. Brad Stevens will know he doesn’t have the firepower to have just one player answer Giannis Antetokounmpo’s scoring outbursts on a game to game basis, but they could do it by committee.
Between Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier and Greg Monroe, the Celtics are at least capable of keeping pace. Doing so en route to a Game 1 victory could change the tone of the series, though.