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Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Potential First Round Preview

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - December 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics await the ball on December 4, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - December 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics await the ball on December 4, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics are playing the Milwaukee Bucks in what could be a first round playoff preview

The Boston Celtics are going up against the Milwaukee Bucks next, and there is a good chance that this will be a preview of a fascinating first round for Boston. The Bucks are currently in eight place, with the Celtics in second. That being said, just one game separates the six seed and the eight seed, making the Bucks one game away from being matched up with the Celtics.

The problem, however, is that this is not the matchup the Celtics want. The playoff race is too close to really try and anticipate what the matchups will end up being, but the Celtics know they want to avoid the Bucks.

They do not want to have to deal with the kind of transcendent talent that Giannis Antetokounmpo is, when their top player is going to be sidelined. They also do not want their versatility to suffer anymore without Marcus Smart, and the length of the Bucks might cause a lot of problems.

The Celtics know they are capable of beating the Bucks, but if they are choosing between them, the Heat and the Wizards, the Bucks are the last team they would play. Unless the Celtics somehow manage to steal that number one seed, beating the Bucks would help in keeping them away at the first round too.

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The additional problem is that teams really cannot know how to handle the Celtics right now. They are putting out lineups and playing in a way that teams have not been able to prepare for. The Bucks are in a position where they can get a sense of what they want to do against this different looking Celtics team, and that could make a difference for a team that should be able to matchup well.

No matter what, the Celtics are going to be challenged in the first round, but the Bucks are the team they would struggle with the most to account for. Even if the Celtics manage to take this game against the Bucks, that could create a false sense of security.

Both of these teams are just playing for seeding right now, so there is a good chance we will not see the best of either of them. There is no doubt the Bucks have the better top talent in this one, because nobody can touch Antetokounmpo with Kyrie Irving out with an injury.

Even if the Celtics are able to handle that in this regular season game with minor implications, the playoffs are a different story. Teams always become more top heavy, and depth becomes a bit less valuable.

Even if the Celtics want to avoid the Bucks, it could be a tremendous first round series. When you take into consideration the idea that both these teams have young cores that should be competing for a while, and this could be the beginning of a new rivalry.

Both of these teams are exciting, and both of them would go into this series feeling like they have to get a victory. The Celtics know they are better than a first round exit, and the Bucks would want to take advantage of so many injuries.

Next: Should we be talking about the number one seed?

If this happens to be a first round matchup preview, then the Celtics could be in some trouble, but it will be a lot of fun to watch. Hopefully Brad Stevens will gain more from this matchup than the Bucks do, because they would need any possible advantage against the Greek Freak in the playoffs.

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