C&C says Boston Celtics must make this adjustment in Game 2 vs. Bucks

Game 1’s Boston Celtics-Milwaukee Bucks series-opening results are begging Cs head coach Ime Udoka to make an adjustment.

It was an adjustment in and of itself in the Eastern Conference semifinals opener to mainly game-plan stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo, much like he did Kevin Durant in the first round, but not Khris Middleton at all (out the entire series due to a sprained MCL).

That said, the Celtics ended up unable to do anything close to what was necessary to win in a losing effort this past Sunday, one where they didn’t look overly competitive at any point. The offense was overwhelmed by myriad mauling on the non-scoring end from the Bucks’ perimeter defenders and the defense couldn’t stop Giannis Antetokounmpo from getting to the rim (24 points) in ways where it’s difficult to comprehend slowing him down moving forward. Jrue Holiday also feasted (25 points) while Bobby Portis (15 points) and Grayson Allen (11 points) joined them in double figures.

Chowder and Champions have suggested one major adjustment to the C’s primary problem in Game 2 Tuesday night, that being to get to the rim…

"The Boston Celtics have decent perimeter players, and they will generally play better than they did today. But counting on them to hit every three is a risky proposition, and one Boston probably can’t use to survive this series. They are going to have to create some sort of open looks in the paint at one point or another. Tatum and Brown get a lot of their points inside the arc, and not being able to get any sort of space there today killed them.It’s just one game, but this felt like a wake up call for the Boston Celtics. They were able to get whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted against the Nets last series, and that’s just not going to be a possibility against a stout Milwaukee team. It’s very early, yes, but it’s not a stretch to say that Game 2 is a must win for the C’s now. If they can get things going in the paint, they should be able to even up the series."

It’d be nice for Robert Williams to get easy alley-oop lobs with regularity in order for the offense to look invincible again. Even if he doesn’t, though, the burden falls on Marcus Smart and the ‘Jays’ to take a huge step forward offensively by completing rim-dives for either easy buckets or free throws.