The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics are putting everything on the line in Game 7 of their second-round matchup. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are fighting to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals while Jayson Tatum and the Celtics look to vanquish the defending champions from the NBA playoffs.
After a tremendous series, one powerhouse will have to watch the remainder of the postseason on their couch while the other moves on to face the Miami Heat in the conference finals. Sunday afternoon's Game 7 at TD Garden will be one of the most energetic and intense games of this year's playoffs.
The Bucks got beat badly in Game 6 after overcoming a late 14-point deficit to win Game 5. The Celtics are a formidable opponent. In order to win, Milwaukee has to shake some things up.
3 adjustments Bucks must make to eliminate Celtics in crucial Game 7
3. Contest more triples
Under head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks have always played defense in a way that allows more 3-point attempts than anyone. The trade-off is that the Bucks allow fewer points near the basket. As evidenced by their championship, the strategy works. But they have to tweak it in Game 7 to keep up with the Celtics' offense.
The Celtics exposed the Bucks' defensive strategy in Game 6 by converting 17 of their 43 attempts from beyond the arc. Marcus Smart may not shoot 5-9 from deep again but the Celtics are now back on their home turf. They shoot better at home than they do on the road in this year's NBA playoffs.
When the Celtics send ball screens to the perimeter, Milwaukee should go over screens more often and have the screener's defender play at the level of the screen rather than have him drop back. They should also consider benching George Hill or Grayson Allen, who are poor at stopping the ball. This forces the Bucks to leave shooters in order to help them.
2. Use Antetokounmpo as a roller
Antetokounkpo has completely dominated the Celtics throughout this series. His unstoppable drives to the hoop have earned him tough buckets and trips to the free-throw line aplenty. The Bucks could actually make his life easier by using him more as a screener in the pick-and-roll.
Milwaukee has tried using Antetokounmpo in this role but usually opts to let the roll stall out and have him post up. The Celtics have a much easier time stopping him and the Bucks when he slows down. Ramp him and make the Celtics scramble to stop him. When a lob gets tossed, Boston will only have a prayer that Giannis misses it.
Bucks keep countering with Giannis as a roller vs. the drop. Good design to put Middleton in the weakside corner as Giannis screens for Jrue. Rolling to one man who has a decision to make. Hill holds, roll for Giannis is open. pic.twitter.com/aLV2Q9d1B2
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) June 24, 2021
Using Antetokounmpo as a roller could have several benefits. It would create separation for the ball-handler, open up the middle of the floor for Giannis and potentially make the Celtics shrink the floor, allowing space for shooters. For Jrue Holiday, in particular, having more room to score would be huge. The Bucks need him to play at the highest level possible.
1. Get the shooters going
Whether this is something the Bucks can truly adjust for or something they simply have to hope for is not super clear. The Celtics have done a good job contesting tiples but the Bucks also have tons of good shooters. They have to show up.
Grayson Allen, after going 3-6 from deep in Game 1 of this series, has shot just 2-14 since then, including 0-4 in the previous game. Bobby Portis provides some heroics in Game 5 but has also only provided three triples in 19 tries during this series. It's not all bad for the Bucks, though. Pat Connaughton and Wesley Matthews have been solid and should look to continue their hot shooting.
Antetokounmpo has been so good that he has been able to nearly carry the Bucks by himself. In a do-or-die affair, the team can't let him try to do that. They have to step up in order to advance in the NBA playoffs. The role players around the Greek Freak must find the openings and make their shots.
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