Milwaukee Bucks: 3 advantages in playoff matchup with Brooklyn Nets

The Milwaukee Bucks boast a better defense than the Brooklyn Nets

Setting the tone from the opening tip, the Bucks were dominant on the defensive end throughout their sweep of the Miami Heat in the first round.

According to NBA.com/stats, Milwaukee currently possesses the best defensive rating in the playoffs with a mark of 95.4 over four games. For reference, the team closest to the Bucks in that department is the Phoenix Suns with a 101 defensive rating, and that massive disparity between the two is certainly worth noting. They also surrendered just 98 points to the Heat per game, the second-fewest mark in the league to this point.

Although it is a small sample size, the Bucks were a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball in round one, and they will need those efforts to continue against the Nets. This Brooklyn team can score the basketball prolifically, as they showcased during the regular season by finishing second in points per game with 118.6. If the Bucks will win this matchup, it will almost certainly be because of their defensive efforts to keep this high-scoring Brooklyn team in check.

Headed by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and P.J. Tucker, among others, this team has transformed into something special on that side of the ball with the team adapting new defensive schemes. Although the disheartening loss of starting shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo for the remainder of the postseason hurts the team’s defense, the Bucks can still match up well against the Nets.

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see what the Nets have in store for the Bucks on the defensive end. The only team to score more points on average than them during the regular season was indeed Milwaukee, as this team thrived on the offensive end courtesy of their reshaped roster. Brooklyn has posted the ninth-ranked defensive rating in the playoffs thus far at 115.9 in their five games versus Boston, and it will be compelling to see how they combat their attack against Milwaukee.

All three regular season matchups were closely contested contests as every game finished with a point differential of six points or fewer. Yet, the Bucks have the better defense in this matchup and they must take advantage of it to win this series.