Three things to look for as the shorthanded Celtics face the red-hot Bucks

The 2 groups with one of the best information within the NBA will conflict Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EST at Fiserv Discussion board.

There’s actually an opportunity somebody aside from the Celtics or Bucks will make the Japanese Convention Finals, however this 12 months particularly, it appears as if these groups are destined to satisfy on that stage. My two-cents is that whoever wins the sequence will win all of it.

Solely time will inform, however this matchup appears like a preview for one thing larger – albeit a considerably altered model because of the Celtics’ newest intensive damage report.

Boston (41-16) has received 4 straight, and 15 of 19, with out a number of of its standard suspects. Milwaukee (39-17) has received 10 straight, and 12 of 13, to maneuver inside 1.5 video games of the Celtics.

This one might have seeding implications long run. If the Celtics pull out an inconceivable win, they take the season sequence. If the Bucks deal with enterprise, a March 30 matchup will resolve which staff will get the 1-seed in the event that they find yourself tying.

Listed below are three issues to search for from a recreation that could possibly be extremely aggressive or could possibly be powerful sledding for the Celtics:

1) Who performs and who sits?

The Celtics are taking this entire “subsequent man up” factor a bit too actually.

The newest damage report has Jayson Tatum out with a non-COVID sickness, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Good nonetheless out and Al Horford and Robert Williams questionable on half considered one of a back-to-back.

Enter Sam Hauser. He might need to drop 30 (no, significantly; that’s not hyperbole). Hypothetically, if everybody on that record is out, it might imply the Celtics go along with a beginning 5 alongside the strains of Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, Hauser, Grant Williams and Blake Griffin, with Payton Pritchard, Mike Muscala and Luke Kornet off the bench. The place’s Justin Jackson whenever you want him?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is salivating as he reads Celtics Weblog.

With all due respect to these gamers, the Celtics will definitely have their work minimize out for them no matter who’s on the market. If Horford and Robert Williams play, that can actually assist an excellent deal.

2) Can Derrick White preserve it rolling?

One man who might be on the market doing his factor is ironman Derrick White (I’m actually sorry if this finally ends up being a jinx).

The Japanese Convention Participant of the Week has been on a tear, to say the least.

He racked up 24.5 factors, 7.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds per recreation final week and is taking part in a number of the finest ball of his profession. Not solely has his consistency been spectacular, but it surely’s additionally been mandatory with so many key gamers sidelined.

White’s efficiency towards the Grizzlies was significantly noteworthy, as he began slowly however ended up ending with 23 factors and 10 assists.

In Celtics wins, White is averaging 12.5 factors, 4 assists and three.5 rebounds, whereas capturing 49.2 % from the sector and 43.2 % from 3-point vary. In losses, these numbers dip significantly, to 9.1 factors, 3.1 assists and a pair of.9 rebounds, whereas capturing 35 % from the sector and 28.4 % from 3.

That’s all that you must know. When White goes, as a rule, so do the Celtics. Can he proceed his torrid stretch towards an elite staff within the Bucks?

3) Simply how deep is that this roster?

Constructing off merchandise No. 1…Maybe probably the most spectacular a part of this latest sizzling streak has been the way in which the Celtics have continued to prepare dinner no matter who’s on the ground.

Hauser, Muscala and Pritchard have all taken a possibility and run with it. Griffin has had his moments. Tatum, Grant Williams and Horford have altered their roles barely to provide the staff no matter it wants.

It truly is spectacular how the Celtics preserve their habits no matter who’s taking part in. Everyone knows they’re not the identical staff with out Brown and Good, however they play the identical fashion. The usual doesn’t change.

Will that proceed towards the Bucks, with Tatum now out as nicely? It received’t be simple. This Milwaukee staff is the largest menace to Boston to win a title, and one thing tells me Antetokounmpo might be prepared for this one. Only a hunch.

Be at liberty to remark if you happen to disagree, or tweet at me afterward, however I’ve acquired the Bucks, no matter which of these Celtics on the report find yourself taking part in.

Beating Milwaukee on the street is hard on the whole, and doing so with out a number of key gamers might be much more troublesome.

If the Celtics in some way discover a means, a brand new contender might emerge for “most spectacular win of the season.”