Milwaukee Bucks: 3 most important matchups versus Brooklyn Nets

The Milwaukee Bucks will have to get creative when defending James Harden

With three scoring titles under his belt, James Harden is one of the most prolific scorers this league has ever seen. In addition to having their hands full with Irving, the Bucks will have to shuffle through their personnel to find the right defense for Harden.

The 2017-18 league MVP played in just one matchup with the Bucks this season after missing the ladder two with injury. With Irving sidelined in that game, Holiday’s primary task was Harden, whom he held to just three points on 1-of-5 shooting across 20.3 partial possessions. With both of them set to share the floor for the first time against Milwaukee, it will be a tough task in defending both of these top-tier guards.

While Irving might be his primary target, Holiday will undoubtedly see his share of time against Harden when the situation calls for it. He might even be Harden’s primary defender, as this will certainly be a pick your poison duo in the backcourt. That leaves the Bucks in a tough predicament when deciding who to throw at the player Holiday is not defending. The devastating loss of starting shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, who suffered a season-ending foot injury against the Heat, will be on display in this matchup. His defensive presence was set to be pivotal and the Bucks must pivot elsewhere without him in the fold.

In addition to Holiday seeing time against the guard, head coach Mike Budenholzer could throw reserve P.J. Tucker, Harden’s former teammate, at him. Tucker’s robust defensive prowess was evident in Milwaukee’s first round set against the Heat as he held leading man Jimmy Butler to just nine points on 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) shooting from the floor on 47.1 partial possessions. That defensive excellence is why the Bucks were persistent in trading for him, and they are hoping he can keep things consistent against his former running mate.

Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton are two players that will also likely earn some time against the nine-time All-Star. Middleton has proven to be a solid defender, but Connaughton will be the much more interesting case. The guard slid into the starting lineup for the injured DiVincenzo in Game 4 against Miami, and although he had a poor outing, it seems feasible to believe he could stick in the lineup moving forward. If so, he will be tasked with taking on top-heavy matchups, and he must be prepared.