NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks

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Dec 13, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket while defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks – Key Matchup: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Jayson Tatum

Without a doubt, a major storyline throughout this heavyweight matchup will be the duel between the best players on each title-contending team: Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston’s Jayson Tatum.

Antetokounmpo is not only the best player on the Bucks, but he’s surely considered to be the best player in the world right now. He’s taken the league by storm with his freaky physicality, interior dominance, and explosive abilities on both sides of the ball. Leading the Bucks to their first NBA title since 1971 last year was the ultimate proof of his inspiring greatness, yet he’s not even close to being satisfied at just 27 years old.

Giannis averaged a marvelous 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals on 55.3 percent shooting across 32.9 minutes during the regular season. After just dominating the Bulls offensively and defensively in the first round, the Celtics are going to have their hands full trying to contain the six-time All-Star. He’s been unstoppable to defend man-to-man.

On the other side, Jayson Tatum has been making himself known as a legit superstar and top-10 player in this league. His two-way impact was on full display against Brooklyn under the bright lights, and he’s done nothing but embrace the moment in the playoffs thus far.

Tatum’s averaging 29.5 points, 7.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game on 45.6 percent field goals and 41.9 percent from three-point range throughout this postseason after averaging a career-high 26.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game during the regular season. The 24-year-old has the intentions and capabilities of propelling the Celtics to a championship run.

As we approach this series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, Antetokounmpo and Tatum are primed for a star showdown on the big stage. They’ll certainly guard each other at times, and whoever has the more significant two-way impact could determine the outcome of this series.

Both these ever-growing superstars will likely make All-NBA First Team this year, following tremendous individual seasons. And now, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum will face off against one another with an Eastern Conference Finals berth on the line.

Next: Defensive War

Milwaukee Bucks will meet the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/boston-celtics-milwaukee-bucks/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/boston-celtics/">Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/boston-celtics-milwaukee-bucks/2/"https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/04/boston-celtics-to-face-milwaukee-bucks-in-second-round-of-nba-playoffs-game-1-set-for-sunday.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game 1 beginning Sunday</a>, 1:00 PM EST at TD Garden.</p> <p>Both Eastern Conference contenders are playing excellent basketball at the moment. The second-seeded Celtics just swept the Brooklyn Nets in impressive fashion during the first round, while the defending champions and third-seeded Bucks eliminated the Chicago Bulls with a gentleman’s sweep, winning the series 4-1.</p> <h2>The Boston Celtics will meet the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Here’s everything you need to know about the thrilling matchup.</h2> <p>The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks tied their regular-season series at 2-2. The last time these two powerhouses went head-to-head in the NBA Playoffs, the Bucks triumphantly broke down the Celtics to win the series in five games during the 2019 semifinals.</p> <p>Boston and Milwaukee have a substantial postseason history together, and now they’ll meet in the semi-finals once again, as they’re about to write another eventful chapter.</p> <p>Boston’s confidence and execution on both ends of the floor seem to be growing each game. Led by first-year head coach Ime Udoka, the Celtics have a top-rated defense, dynamic rotation, versatile lineups, intelligent sets, and a proven superstar in Jayson Tatum.</p> <p>Obviously, Milwaukee’s coming into this postseason with aspirations of defending their title, and they’ve constructed a similar roster to the team that reached the ultimate goal last year. Two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to feast on opponents and looks hungrier than ever to lead the Bucks to a consecutive NBA Championship.</p> <p>However, All-Star Khris Middleton is currently sidelined for the Bucks due to an MCL tear in his right knee and has reportedly been ruled out for the entire series. George Hill is also battling an abdominal injury, but he should return soon.</p> <p>While the Bucks were consistent during the regular season, for the most part, the Celtics have had an absolute roller coaster of a season. Despite a struggle-filled start, Boston quickly shifted the momentum following the All-Star break.</p> <p>To conclude the regular season, the Celtics won 28 of their last 35 games and inspiringly came together to earn the second seed in the East before eventually sweeping Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Nets.</p> <p>Udoka’s squad continues to roll at the right time, and evidently, they’re not afraid of anybody. With the Celtics currently hotter than fish grease, they’ll face their toughest challenge yet when they encounter the reigning champion Bucks.</p> <p>Let’s look at the must-follow storylines from this upcoming Eastern Conference semi-final matchup between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks that should be one of the more epic series in these NBA Playoffs.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/boston-celtics-milwaukee-bucks/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Key Matchup </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_444519" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/29/boston-celtics-milwaukee-bucks/2/"http://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2018/08/17353624.jpeg"> "Boston