Boston Celtics: 2/14 Bucks matchup means more than most may realize
The Boston Celtics are coming off of a big win against the Memphis Grizzlies. On February 14, they have an even tougher opponent in the Milwaukee Bucks.
As of right now, the Cs lead the Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings by a whopping game and a half. In their last five meetings, the Celtics are 4-1 against Milwaukee (including playoffs).
Something that freaks me out a little bit, however, is the fact that the Bucks are riding a 10 game win streak where Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 37 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists — not to mention he’s shooting just about 60% from the field. With Jaylen Brown out, their depth is going to have to really pull their weight, something they’ve been doing great lately.
The Boston Celtics bench are going to need to step up against the Bucks
So it’s pretty obvious that MVP candidate Jayson Tatum is going to need to play like the All-Star that he is, but another player who I’m looking at to stay hot, is Derrick White. White has been on a tear recently, scoring in double digits in each of his last 10 games played. As of more recent, however, he’s really started to turn it up a notch.
He’s averaging 23 points on 52% from the field and a staggering 51% from beyond the arc. Not only has he been w talking bucket though, he’s controlling the ball well averaging six assists per game and only turning the ball over two times per game.
For someone who’s playing a majority of the game, I’ll take that.
Another player I’m going to look to make an impact, is Grant Williams. The big man has been involved in some rumors surrounding his expiring contract, but during the time he’s been balling with Boston.
The last time these two met, Williams had the second-best defensive rating on the team with a 105.5 rating, just .1 behind Derrick White for second place. He was most effective when guarding players 25-29 feet away from the rim where he held the Bucks to 33% shooting on 12 shots. Where he was hurt the most, was within five feet from the rim where they shot an effective 73% on 11 attempts.
In his last 13 games, opponents are shooting 64% from within five feet. If he can manage to hold the Bucks and Giannis to shooting below 73% from that five foot range, the Cs would be in a good place.
As previously mentioned, it’s obvious that Tatum is going to need to play his butt off against another MVP candidate with Brown being out, but if White and Williams continue to roll, as well as the other major pieces of the Boston Celtics rotation, they could very well end Milwaukee’s 10-game win streak and distance themselves in the standings even more.