For all the problems Giannis Antetokounmpo presents on the offensive end, as well as Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon (if he’s cleared to play), there’s still the matter of Milwaukee’s defensive presence. In their last meeting with the Celtics, the Bucks held Boston under 100 points (97), which only happened nine times in the 2018-19 regular season.
Now, that was a different time for the Celtics. And we’re not talking about the green “flipping the switch” to start the postseason. Their last matchup (February 21) with the Bucks was around the height of Boston’s drama. Whether or not you buy into the Celtics being a different team from the one we saw at the end of the regular season, they’re certainly not playing the same game they did two months ago.
Regardless of where the C’s stand, their next opponent in the NBA Playoffs had the best team defensive rating in the NBA (104.9) this season. The Pacers were two places behind them (105.9) and the Celtics didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard against them in the first round, despite the sweep.
“(Lopez) hangs around in the paint and he makes it really tough to score,” Stevens said. “So sometimes you have to get it to the second side and the third side. Wherever that penetration leads you, you hope it’s for a dunk or a layup. But often times it leads to another kick-out (or) jump shot.
Stevens was also complimentary of the big man’s offense. But even in discussing that aspect of Lopez’s game, Stevens brought the focus back to his defense.
“I just think he’s had a great year defensively; protecting the paint, protecting the rim,” Stevens said. “They send him back. He’s usually back in transition. He’s usually there to protect (the rim) early. They make you earn everything.”
Some of Boston’s momentous offensive plays throughout the first round came in transition. That may not be an option with Lopez sacrificing his presence on the offensive glass to create congestion on the defensive end.