3 biggest concerns for Milwaukee Bucks with series tied 1-1 vs Celtics

3 biggest concerns for Milwaukee Bucks – 1. Protecting the 3-point line

It’s been a common trend for the Milwaukee Bucks to allow a plethora of 3-point attempts ever since head coach Mike Budenholzer took over in 2018. If you efficiently make your shots from beyond the arc against Bud’s defensive system, there’s a good chance you’ll come out on top.

Over the last few years, it’s been no secret that raining 3-pointers has become the blueprint to break down the Bucks offensively. Teams have clearly been successful when they’ve exploited Milwaukee’s drop coverage defensive scheme by being efficient from 3-point territory.

The Celtics were certainly successful in Game 2 after nailing a playoff-high 20 threes on 46.5 percent shooting, which was impressively efficient. Boston has productive 3-point shooters within the rotation that include Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Payton Pritchard, Grant Williams, and even Al Horford that have all had their opportunities against the Bucks thus far.

Although, it’s a make or miss league and to Milwaukee’s credit, it’s incredibly difficult to sustain the scorching hot perimeter shooting that Boston displayed the other night. In Game 1, the Celtics attempted a franchise playoff-high 50 3-point attempts and only drained 18 of them, shooting 36.0 percent from 3-point land.

The Celtics could have an off night any given night, but the fact of the matter is that they clearly have the capabilities of efficiently letting it fly from three with the offensive firepower that they possess.

The Bucks have a top-rated postseason defense that’s outstanding at defending the interior led by Brook Lopez as still one of the most undervalued defensive anchors and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s versatile, physical, lengthy presence. However, more pressure will be laid on Jrue Holiday, Wesley Matthews, Jevon Carter, Grayson Allen, Geroge Hill when he comes back, and Milwaukee’s defensive schemes to contain Boston’s perimeter shooting.

After the Boston Celtics took advantage of the Bucks’ defensive schemes and caught fire from 3-point range during Game 2, protecting the 3-point line could be a concern for the Milwaukee Bucks in this series moving forward.