The second-seeded Boston Celtics and third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks meet in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Boston and Milwaukee beat the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls in the first round, respectively.
How they got here
Boston Celtics (51-31)
The Celtics enjoyed one of the greatest in-season turnarounds in recent memory, transforming from a borderline play-in tournament team in 2021 to the best team in basketball in 2022, statistically speaking. Their defense is impeccable under first-year coach Ime Udoka, and Jayson Tatum emerged as a bona fide MVP candidate at the helm of an eight-man rotation full of length and versatility on both ends of the court.
It was all on display in their first-round series against the Nets. Boston swarmed both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, daring Brooklyn’s woeful supporting cast to make enough plays to remain competitive, and even then the Celtics did not make it easy on anyone. The result was a first-round sweep that left everyone who watched to wonder whether Tatum has surpassed the 32-year-old Durant on the NBA’s hierarchy.
The Celtics also reintegrated Robert Williams III three weeks after his meniscus surgery, adding one of their best defensive pieces to a roster full of them, and then gifted him another week of rest. Their starting lineup of Tatum, Williams, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford has lost once since January (by a single possession). No other team enters the second round with the continuity and momentum Boston is riding.
Milwaukee Bucks (51-31)
The Bucks set their title defense to cruise control in the regular season, stepping on the gas whenever necessary and ultimately hitting the brakes to avoid a first-round series against the Nets. The approach allowed Grayson Allen to familiarize himself with the system and Brook Lopez to take every precaution with his back injury. Such is the luxury of having Giannis Antetokounmpo, the best player in basketball.
They handled the Bulls in the opening round, as expected,…