Even though they retained almost all of their championship core, the Boston Celtics still got reportedly worse for next season. For this reason alone, the Milwaukee Bucks must strike whilst the iron is hot to take care of the biggest threat in the Eastern Conference.
The 2023-24 season marked a new era for the Boston Celtics, as they moved forward without longtime point guard Marcus Smart, who was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason. In a bold move, the Celtics acquired two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers, bolstering their backcourt.
The Celtics’ regular season was nothing short of dominant. They clinched a playoff berth earlier than any other team, won the Atlantic Division for the third consecutive year, and secured the number one seed in the East. Finishing with a stellar 64-18 record, Boston had the best record in the NBA, returning to the Finals for the second time in three years.
In the playoffs, the Celtics steamrolled through the Eastern Conference, dispatching the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers with ease. Despite an injury to Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics prevailed over the Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks in the Finals, winning their first championship since 2008. The Celtics’ stifling defense held the Mavericks under 100 points in all four victories, cementing their status as the NBA’s premier team.
Milwaukee Bucks Projected To Take Advantage of Boston Celtics Next Season
As great as the Celtics were last season, they are projected to get somewhat worse when the new campaign starts, as explained in an article published by Bleacher Report. If this happens, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks must take advantage of it.
“Kristaps Porziņģis’ health is the biggest wrinkle of all. He will miss the start of next year and probably won’t suit up before Christmas after undergoing surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg. Who knows what he’ll look like upon return, or how much he’ll be able to play on a nightly basis,” Bleacher Report stated.
“The Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers will be more menacing if they’re healthier. Less established squads like the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic were already good and could pop,” the article added.
Having Porzingis on the court allowed Jayson Tatum and the Celtics to run an offense that dominated almost every team in the NBA last season. Without the Latvian big man, the Bucks can use Antetokounmpo to great effect by dominating the paint while All-Star guard Damian Lillard spaces the floor. If the duo succeeds, Boston won’t be able to repeat as champs in the Eastern Conference.
With Porzingis out of action, the Bucks have a window of opportunity to emerge as the top team in the East. If they manage to stay healthy, especially Antetokounmpo, no team can stop them next season.
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