3 keys for Milwaukee Bucks to close out Boston Celtics in Game 6

The Milwaukee Bucks need to continue to limit corner 3s to close out the Boston Celtics in Game 6

In the Bucks’ worst loss of the series, the Celtics were able to generate 17 corner 3s. Even for a defense that allows a bunch of 3s, that’s too many. Milwaukee is fine with allowing above-the-break triples and some from the corners but 17 is an absurd amount.

In the following two games in Milwaukee, they allowed 14 corner 3s total which is much better and a reason why those games were not only closer but had the Bucks leading for the majority of those games despite losing Game 4.

In Game 5, where they trailed for most of the game, they allowed a total of three corner 3s, according to Cleaning the Glass. The notable stat that has been going around after the win in Game 5 was that the Celtics didn’t even attempt a 3 in the entire fourth quarter.

Milwaukee’s 3-point defense has been a topic of conversation… well, basically every year and especially come playoff time when teams get hot for single games and everyone loses their mind that the Bucks allow too many 3s.

I agree that if they allow too many corner 3s, that’s a problem. They can’t allow Boston to drive and kick their way into a bunch of corner 3s because that’s how you end up with a brutal loss like in Game 2.

But if you’re only conceding above-the-break 3s that come off pullups as Jayson Tatum dribbles around a screen with Wesley Matthews fighting over to contest from behind, then I’m pretty ok with that.

Boston shot 34.5 percent on above-the-break 3s in the regular season but nearly 40 percent in the corners. In this series, they’re shooting 33.3 percent above the break and over 47 percent from the corners. Keep them out of the corners and you’ll likely have success slowing down their offense.