Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking 5 games to circle on 2021-22 schedule

Following their title-winning season, the Milwaukee Bucks will have a quick turnaround with the shortened offseason as the NBA looks to return to normalcy.

The league recently released the full schedule ahead of the 2021-22 season, with the format returning to an 82 game slate. After being shortened in 2019-20 due to the pandemic and then only playing 72 games during 2020-21 due to the aftermath of the season prior, the NBA’s regular season will be back to its true form leading into next season.

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As the Bucks look to defend their title as world champions, they have been given a handful of marquee matchups along the way that will certainly be nothing short of star-studded.

Whether it be because of the star power that both teams boast, the recent history between the two franchises, and perhaps some bad blood, or whatever else, this year is shaping up to have some fireworks, and the champs will be put to the test.

Before Milwaukee’s 2021-22 season kicks off on October 19, here is a ranking of the five most highly- anticipated games that the Bucks will play on their upcoming 82 game schedule.

Game 5 — Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics, December 25, 2021

There was never any question whether the Bucks would be getting a Christmas Day game this year, the only question was who they would be playing. Several days before the official schedule release, it was released that the Bucks would be taking on the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum on Christmas. If the three games played between these two teams last season are any indication of how things might go this year, fans are in for a wild ride.

The Celtics won the season series with the Bucks 2-1, with each game going all the way down to the wire. The 2020-21 season started off with a bang as these two teams went back and forth down the stretch, with a bank-shot three from Boston’s Jayson Tatum in the final seconds spoiling Milwaukee’s season opener. The Bucks would regain the upper hand with a two-point victory in March but lost to the Celtics in their very next game by eight points. Every game played between the two teams was close, and that bodes well for this Christmas matchup next season.

Both teams have also spent the offseason retooling their rosters. In addition to bringing back their star tandem of Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have also revamped the supporting cast. That includes bringing back a savvy veteran in Al Horford, trading for defensive ace Josh Richardson, and signing former Sixth Man of the Year finalist Dennis Schroder to a very team-friendly deal. After a seventh-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season, the Celtics will have a chip on their shoulders as they look to reclaim their spot as a contender in the East.

They could send a strong message when they hit the road to take on the Bucks at 1:30 p.m. CST on ABC on Christmas Day.