Assessing Milwaukee Bucks’ potential first round opponents – Non-play in teams:
Milwaukee still faces the possibility of staying at the three seed and finishing there or dropping to that four spot. There are only a couple of teams they would face off against if this did happen.
Chicago Bulls: 6.5
The Bulls started most of this year as the top seed in the East and are viewed as a great team by most. That stretch of play ended when they began experiencing a decreased level of consistency from some players, and also a couple of injuries. The Bulls have an exciting one-two punch with Derozan and Lavine that can win you games, but there is one weakness that comes to mind here, the Bulls have an 0-14 record against the top three seeds from each conference this season, according to stat muse. I say This series reaches a maximum of six (if the Bulls come out and play well) and a minimum of five. I see Chicago taking at least a game.
Toronto Raptors: 7
Aside from Brooklyn, Toronto is the team I worry about most in the bottom half of the playoff picture. Toronto is a good young team that has for the most part found its stride in the second half of the season. Players like Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Fred VanVleet, and even others have been getting it done consistently on both ends for a couple of months now and Toronto has found a good rhythm.
They are a sleeper team that could definitely give a team some trouble in the first round. The Bucks are just a better team than the Raptors right now, but Toronto will give it their all and they are well-coached. I would not be surprised at all if this series goes to six, but no more than that. My prediction is Milwaukee Bucks in five if they play like themselves and don’t get out-coached.
All in all, I believe Milwaukee is the best team in the East. The East is very good this year, but there isn’t another team in the conference with talent and experience like the Bucks’ I am a firm believer the Bucks can go back-to-back, but coaching will be key, and you never know what can happen to a roster over the course of the playoffs. Milwaukee should be able to get past the first round with ease. Go Bucks!