3 keys for Milwaukee Bucks to go home with 2-0 lead vs Boston Celtics

The Milwaukee Bucks will need to remain physical in Game 2

If you’re a fan of defense and physicality, this series will be for you. The Bucks have developed a physical identity in the last couple of years and the Celtics played Kevin Durant very physically in their sweep of the Brooklyn Nets.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, the Bucks thrive on physicality and were definitely the more physical team in Game 1. Maybe this was just me, but judging by the body language from the Celtics, it seemed as though they weren’t ready for the physicality and interior defense of the Bucks.

You’re not going to get many calls against Lopez (only one foul in Game 1) and a Mike Budenholzer-coached team in general. It was a bit of a surprise the Bucks had 21 personal fouls in that game considering how Milwaukee turned Boston into a jump-shooting team with 50 3s, but the Celtics were also called for 25 personal fouls so the referees were calling things both ways.

It’s not a direct correlation, but the Bucks’ physicality helped generate some of Boston’s 18 turnovers. Milwaukee isn’t a team that forces a ton of turnovers in general but turning Boston over that often was a product of their defense wearing the home team down throughout the game.

I’m interested to see how the Celtics come out in Game 2 tonight.

They should know now that the Bucks’ goal is to limit shots at the rim, be physical, and make you take above-the-break 3s from your less scary shooters (aka not Tatum or Brown). How do they adjust? Will they try to run more actions to get Tatum and Brown more open midrange looks? Easier drives to the basket?

Boston’s defense was solid in Game 1, but Milwaukee’s was better. This has the feeling of a grind-it-out series.

The Milwaukee Bucks have a great opportunity in front of them to take a big 2-0 lead tonight at 6:30 pm CT.