After a week off, the Milwaukee Bucks will finally resume action today as they are set to take on the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Given the personnel on either side of the basketball, this matchup has been one of the most talked about since it was officially announced. Both teams boast highly star-studded rosters from top to bottom, and many onlookers have already pegged the potential winner of this matchup as the team likeliest to hoist the Larry O’Brien down the road.
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Staying focused solely on this matchup, there will be no shortage of fireworks on display from the opening tip. The Nets have one of the best trios formed in NBA history, while the Bucks have a solid trio of their own that is looking to make some noise in these playoffs.
If they will emerge victorious in this series, it will take an all-around effort from this reformed roster. With that being said, here are three specific X-factors for the Bucks heading into this series.
Pat Connaughton will be an X-factor for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Brooklyn Nets
Barring a lineup change from head coach Mike Budenholzer, Pat Connaughton will likely get the nod at starting shooting guard for the Bucks to open this series.
Connaughton started in Milwaukee’s Game 4 finale last round following the injury to typical starter Donte DiVincenzo. With the 23-year-old set to miss the remainder of the playoffs with a torn ligament in his ankle, it seems feasible to believe Connaughton will be the next man up moving forward, and it will be a tall order for him in this series.
Of course, the Nets have a lethal two-headed monster in their backcourt with Kyrie Irving and James Harden, two of the most gifted scorers in the association today. While starting point guard Jrue Holiday will take one of the two, Connaughton will likely be left to fend for himself against the other on multiple occasions. Just how well that defense from the swingman holds up will be a pivotal factor in this series. While he will certainly not lock down either of the All-Star guards, he could give a valiant effort to slow them down.
Simultaneously, the Bucks will need the guard to knock down his shots on the opposite end of the floor. Connaughton made good in the regular season by shooting 37.1 points on a career-high 3.9 attempts per game and the team will need that success to be consistent on the big stage. The guard proved to be a reliable floor spacing against the Heat but his importance will only be heightened in round two.
If Connaughton can play some stout defense and knock down his shots from the perimeter, particularly if he finds himself in the starting lineup, it would be a massive boost for Milwaukee.
P.J. Tucker will be an X-factor for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Brooklyn Nets
Sticking with the theme and importance of defense in this series, P.J. Tucker will have eyes glued to him throughout this series.
The veteran has carved out a steady role for himself on the defensive end since being traded to the Bucks in a surprising move during the regular season. Making a career off being one of the most robust defenders in the association, Tucker was a significant addition for the Bucks, and his presence will be critical for Milwaukee in this series in trying to slow down Brooklyn’s collection of talent on the offensive end.
The 36-year-old’s primary assignment will likely be guarding Kevin Durant and giving a breather to whoever was doing so before him. A four-time scoring champion, Durant has asserted himself as one of the most prolific scorers to ever play the game, and Tucker has a long history of defending the seven-footer dating back to the epic postseason clashes between Tucker’s Houston Rockets and Durant’s Golden State Warriors.
While stopping Durant is virtually impossible even for the best defenders, Tucker is someone who can make things challenging for the former league MVP. Yet, Tucker’s presence has made the Bucks more keen to switching defensively, meaning the veteran could see time against any of these talented offensive pieces, which will be a massive relief for Milwaukee.
Offensively, the Bucks could stand to get more 3-point shooting from the veteran, who has been deemed one of the best corner shooters to ever suit up. Shooting just 2-of-7 from deep over four games against Miami, that aspect of his game was not clicking. Nevertheless, his primary task with be playing top-notch defense against some of the best to ever play, and if he does that, we can overlook that lack of shooting.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will be an X-factor for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Brooklyn Nets
The eventual outcome of this series between the Bucks and Nets will likely ride on the broad shoulders of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two-time league MVP was on a mission in the three regular season meetings with Brooklyn this year by averaging a heroic 39.7 points per game. Primarily being defended by Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in those matchups, Antetokounmpo was scoring the basketball below his typical efficiency by shooting 48.9 percent shooting from the floor, but it was still a solid stretch for him without question.
The biggest eye-catching note from his string of performances from the Nets this season was that he shot 10-for-26 (38.5 percent) from behind the arc. Brooklyn’s defenders will give the Greek Freak space out on the perimeter to seal off the paint, and if he can consistently knock down these outside shots, they will have to go back to the drawing board. Also dishing out 15 total assists over those three contests, Giannis can keep the Nets guessing while going on a tear himself or getting his teammates involved in the action.
They will also need the reigning Defensive Player of the Year at his best on that side of the ball. With Brooklyn’s high-octane offense firing on all cylinders as their Big 3 is set to play against Milwaukee at full-strength for the first time this year, Antetokounmpo must play at the highest level possible to slow their attack. The only team to average more points than the Nets during the regular season was the Bucks, increasing the importance of defense in this matchup. Expect to see Antetokounmpo get his share of face time against Durant tonight to keep the two-time Finals MVP in check.
The Bucks and Nets will hit the floor tonight for a highly-anticipated Game 1 in what should be a thrilling series as both teams are gunning for the title.