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Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking potential Eastern Conference playoff matchups

By Scott Romportl

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 07: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after scoring against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on March 07, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 07: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after scoring against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on March 07, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 29: (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 29: (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

10. Orlando Magic

Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Terrence Ross would be a nice story to crack the playoffs, and playing out a series as the eighth seed in Milwaukee would be a very familiar spot for John Hammond in the Eastern Conference bracket, but this is a one sided matchup.

Projected Series Result: 4-0 Bucks

9. Washington Wizards

Despite the dumpster fire that is this franchise, Bradley Beal has the kind of star-power and established track record that the Orlando roster lacks. They edge out Orlando by the slimmest of margins. This is another sweep, unless Beal goes for 50 in one of the games.

Projected Series Result: 4-0 Bucks

8. Charlotte Hornets

Mike Budenholzer will have a gameplan to make things difficult for Kemba Walker. James Borrego will also have a gameplan for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it won’t work. A sweep would be likely, although a game or two could be closer than the Bucks would probably want.

Projected Series Result: 4-0 Bucks

7. Detroit Pistons

The hottest team since the All-Star break won’t be winning 8-out-of-10 in April. Blake Griffin continues to play immensely well, but he needs a lot more help. If Luke Kennard fills it up from deep, and Reggie Jackson can have a rare exceptional night, they could maybe sneak out a game, but that’d be it, and the Bucks would play angry for the rest of the series.

Projected Series Result: 4-0 Bucks

6. Miami Heat

I have Miami ranked at No. 6 solely due to Erik Spoelstra being a top-5 NBA head coach. The Heat have had past success against Milwaukee, centered around having strong, athletic wings matching up on Antentokounmpo and funneling him toward Hassan Whiteside for weak side help. Antetokounmpo, however, has a few more options at his disposal this season, and an offensive scheme that actually makes sense. I think this is still a likely sweep, but Spoelstra won’t make it as easy as it probably should be when simply comparing rosters.

Projected Series Result: 4-0 Bucks

5. Brooklyn Nets

Kenny Atkinson’s team at full strength will be both interesting and enjoyable down the stretch. They play hard every night, are coached very well, play a modern system, and seem to never have any outside noise or drama looming in the background. I think they could take a game, if they catch the Bucks on an off-night.

Projected Series Result: 4-1 Bucks

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