The top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks made quick work of the Detroit Pistons in their first-round series, but will face a much tougher test against a Boston Celtics team that is just as talented and capable as any other in the league. And they will need to defend their home court without starting guard Malcolm Brogdon.
After starting in all 64 of his appearances this year, Brogdon missed the last 13 games of the regular season and all of Milwaukee's first playoff series with a heel injury. And though Brogdon continues to progress in practice, he is not quite ready for game action and will miss Game 1 and Game 2:
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer says Malcolm Brogdon will be reassessed after Game 2. Notes that Brogdon has played some 5-on-5 but “needs more.”
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) April 28, 2019
Brogdon — the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year — made a tremendous leap in his third season with the Bucks. The former University of Virginia star averaged career highs in points (15.6), rebounds (4.5), and 3-point shooting (42.6 percent from deep) while shooting above 50 percent from the field.
His dependability as yet another shooter who is equally capable of getting to the rim and handling the ball made Brogdon a perfect complement to the play style of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe.
However, Brogdon's absence puts added pressure on Giannis, Khris Middleton and especially bench players like Nikola Mirotic to help plug offensive holes and still make plays on the perimeter.
The Celtics would likely have had to start Kyrie Irving on Brogdon, and Brogdon's high level of activity would have made it that much harder for Irving to sustain his usage and effectiveness on the offensive end. Instead, Irving can help off Milwaukee's 2-man and attempt to help on Giannis or Bledsoe.
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