The Milwaukee Bucks start their title defense when they take on the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs. Milwaukee is the heavy favorite heading into this matchup. The Bucks swept the Bulls 4-0 in the season series. Given Chicago's struggles against the top teams in the league this season, many analysts are predicting this to be a short series. Nonetheless, there's no reason for the defending champs to take the Bulls lightly.
We all know that Giannis Antetokounmpo will play 110 percent every single night no matter the opponent. The Bucks usually rely on Khris Middleton to bring that second punch to complement The Greek Freak's muscle. Jrue Holiday will bring that defense and playmaking that he's always been known for. But in this series, Milwaukee's X-Factor will be center Brook Lopez.
Bucks X-Factor in First Round vs. Bulls: Brook Lopez
Lopez only played 13 games for the Bucks this season. He missed 67 straight games after appearing on opening night due to a back injury that he eventually had surgery on in early December.
Back up big man Bobby Portis played terrific in Lopez's absence. In 59 games as a starter, the fan favorite averaged 15.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and shot 48.9 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from three. But after Lopez returned and played two games off the bench, Portis was gracious enough to hand over the starting job back to the veteran.
No disrespect to Chicago, but Milwaukee should easily get past them to move on to round two. With that said, the Bucks won't necessarily rely on Lopez to play at his best in this series. Nonetheless, this is a terrific opportunity for the 34-year-old to find his rhythm and regain his legs ahead of another grueling run to the NBA championship.
Nonetheless, Lopez looked like he didn't skip a beat upon his return. After coming off the bench in his first two games, Lopez averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks, while shooting 49.1 percent from the field.
The Bucks will need Lopez to be in full form when they advance to the deeper rounds of the NBA playoffs. The 7-footer may have looked great upon his return, but coming off a four-and-a-half month absence and back surgery, he will need all the reps he can get to come back to form. Going up against an elite offensive big man like Nikola Vucevic should be a good challenge for him in the first round.
Lopez was such a huge part of Milwaukee's title run last season. He played 29 minutes per game in the 23 games the Bucks took to win the 2021 NBA championship. Through that run, Lopez averaged 13.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 54.8 percent from the field.
Milwaukee will need Lopez as a last line of defense and an elite rim protector. In addition, he is able to space the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo to operate inside the paint.
As mentioned, the Bucks won't necessarily need to Lopez to play his best in this series to advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. But this will be key for him to fully return to form.
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