Tonight, the Bucks will be on the road to face the Celtics. It’s a matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. Boston has the best record in the NBA at 54-14 this season. Milwaukee is 44-24, second in the East. Tonight is expected to be a heavyweight matchup between the Bucks and Celtics.
However, Milwaukee will be without their MVP PF Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s dealing with some hamstring injuries and the team is playing it safe this late in the season. The eight-time all-star has played in 64 of their 68 games in 2023-24. We’ll have to wait until a potential postseason matchup to see the Celtics face a Bucks team with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee will be without the services of Giannis Antetokounmpo on Wednesday night vs. the Celtics
“Giannis Antetokounmpo, out tonight against Boston…I’m told he did not even travel to Boston, he stayed in Milwaukee, they want to make sure his hamstring is right.”@ShamsCharania updates on Giannis’ injury.
📺: https://t.co/wdT8I0ST8g pic.twitter.com/jgmZOxjRGH
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 20, 2024
For the second season in a row, Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 30+ points per game for the Bucks. In 2023-24, the 29-year-old is averaging (30.8) points, (11.2) rebounds, (6.4) assists, (1.2) steals, and (1.0) blocks per game. That’s elite production that cannot be replaced by one player for Milwaukee. Especially in the matchup vs. the Boston Celtics. With Giannis out, expect to see big man Bobby Portis get inserted into the starting lineup.
Portis has played in every game for Milwaukee this season and has made one start. He’ll likely make his second of the season tonight vs. the Celtics. This season, Portis is averaging (13.4) points, (7.1) rebounds, and (1.2) assists per game. Additionally, Portis is shooting an efficient (.393) prevent from beyond the arc in 2023-24. While he’s not Giannis Antetokounmpo, Portis can still give the team quality minutes vs. Boston.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the first player in NBA history to average:
30+ PPG
10+ RPG
5+ APG
60+ FG%in a season.@statmuse pic.twitter.com/t5j4f2bslL
— TheBucksZone (@TheBucksZoneIG) March 20, 2024
If the Bucks are going to have a chance at beating Boston, they’re going to need an all-time performance from Damian Lillard. It won’t be easy for the veteran PG to find his shot vs. the Celtics. He’ll be Boston’s primary concern on defense. Lillard is going to need the help of his teammates to beat Jayson Tatum in Boston. Milwaukee will be up for the challenge. However, this could be a game that slips away from them if they cannot keep up.
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