As the Milwaukee Bucks have quickly found out in their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, the postseason is all about matchups.
In this particular duel, Brook Lopez is a poor matchup against the Pacers. Their speed, athletic ability and mobility are just too much for the lumbering big man to overcome. Slowly but surely throughout the first three games, where Lopez was often exploited defensively, Doc Rivers has come to terms with this reality, reducing the center's minutes more in each passing contest.
To fill the void at center, Rivers has leaned more on Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims, with the latter logging just two seconds fewer than Lopez in Milwaukee's rousing Game 3 win. After the game, an outing in which Sims finished with four points and eight boards off the bench, Damain Lillard praised what the big man has given the Milwaukee Bucks.
Damian Lillard gives raving review of Milwaukee Bucks big man
"Obviously, in the playoffs, you've got to find different matchups to try to change the series as games go by. Tonight, he was out there, he was able to switch, he was protecting the rim, getting us extra possessions, and that's the energy and activity we need off our bench and especially when they bring in the second unit... Where they usually dominate second units, we can be that big in the paint and have that type of presence in the paint, I think, is huge for our team."
Sims isn't going to stuff the stat sheet - he's averaging 1.3 points and four rebounds per game in the first three playoff contests - but he always leaves a mark, oftentimes with factors that do not show up on the stat sheet. That starts with him being able to switch and make things harder for ball-handlers on the defensive end, something the Milwaukee Bucks' other big men aren't exactly known for.
To factor in the stats, Indiana's speedy guards are shooting just 2-of-10 with Sims as their primary defender through three games in this series. That includes holding T.J. McConnell, the pest who is known for giving Milwaukee trouble, to just 1-of-5 shooting. Although the 6-foot-1 McConnell may have the edge in speed, the 6-foot-10 Sims hasn't let it deter him, keeping up with him rather well.
His hustle, motor and eye-catching athleticism have all made him a fan favorite in Milwaukee, and it's clear that his teammates have also grown quite fond of him. Those are also attributes that make him a good matchup in this particular series. He can be that towering protector in the paint, but he also isn't afraid to get pulled out to the perimeter and guard on an island.
After Game 3, Doc Rivers must understand that Sims can be a significant second-unit contributor if given legitimate minutes. Despite missing about a month due to surgery to end the regular season, it hasn't taken much time at all for Jericho Sims to return and make his presence felt for the Bucks.
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