The Milwaukee Bucks’ major focus within the common season is to construct good habits. Head coach Mike Budenholzer preaches it repeatedly and it has trickled right down to the remainder of his gamers. Heck, Giannis Antetokounmpo even tweeted it after their most up-to-date victory.

That stems from their fear about controlling what they’ll management and specializing in their very own sport. They aren’t involved about what others are doing and authentically really feel they’ll win one other NBA Championship in the event that they play their greatest basketball.

Enable me to bother myself in regards to the standings and what the remainder of the Japanese Convention is doing. With 10 video games remaining within the Bucks’ season, I ranked the opposite 9 groups presently in playoff place primarily based on their menace to Milwaukee in a postseason collection. I begin with the least threatening (no. 9) and work our method right down to the scariest potential opponent.

9). Chicago Bulls

Been there, achieved that. Milwaukee relinquished this identical model of the Chicago Bulls in 5 video games within the first spherical of final yr’s playoffs. In the meantime, the Bucks have improved, and the Bulls have trended in the other way. This is able to be a defensive battle to its core—each groups rank within the high 5 of defensive ranking

8). Toronto Raptors

It’s time to exorcise some demons and transfer on with our lives. Many Bucks’ followers nonetheless have nightmares in regards to the Raptors (and rightfully so) from the 2019 Japanese Convention Finals. This Toronto workforce will not be the identical model and is considerably flawed. They’re one of many worst capturing groups in your complete NBA. The Bucks are 3-0 in opposition to them this season. The largest concern can be turnovers: Milwaukee coughs the rock up at a excessive fee, and the Raptors drive probably the most turnovers within the NBA.

7). Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn is a .500 workforce following the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trades, however most likely doesn’t have sufficient to maintain up with the Warmth down the stretch. They seemingly find yourself within the play-in event. Milwaukee can beat them at each stage and shouldn’t have a lot of a problem.

6). Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta’s expertise is difficult to determine. They need to be a number of spots larger on paper, however they’ve underperformed for the second straight season. Nonetheless, they offer Milwaukee’s drop protection suits with Trae Younger and Dejounte Murray, able to pulling up from three, hitting floaters, or tossing lobs to the bigs. Antetokounmpo has additionally commented on how good John Collins, Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu are at guarding him. Nonetheless, the Bucks are 2-2 in opposition to them this season.

5). New York Knicks

The Knicks are an ideal story as soon as once more and would current a novel problem to the Bucks. Mitchell Robinson may make life tough for Giannis Antetokounmpo with R.J. Barrett matching up on Khris Middleton. Offensively, they sport the fifth-highest factors per 1oo possessions, in line with Cleansing the Glass, with Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson main the assault.

4). Miami Warmth

Miami continues to underachieve primarily based on their expertise, however are starting to seek out their footing. They’re 7-3 of their final 10 video games and have surpassed the Nets for the sixth spot within the East. Might the Knicks in fifth be subsequent? They’ve the Tenth-best level differential and sixth-best offense over the past two weeks. We all know how powerful of an out Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and firm will be.

3). Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs have a number of gamers on their roster who could make life tough across the hoop in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Each are tremendous athletic and prolonged bigs who can contest Antetokounmpo on the rim. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are as a dynamic backcourt duo because it comes. Finally, I don’t suppose they’ve sufficient offensive spacing (they begin three non-shooters) to chase the Bucks out of the playoffs.

2). Boston Celtics

Though Milwaukee may lose to any workforce on this checklist, these are the 2 most certainly opponents who will take them down this postseason. I went forwards and backwards about which solution to place them and that is how I landed. Since their final postseason matchup, Milwaukee crafted their workforce to take down the Celtics. Jae Crowder and Joe Ingles give them the scale on the wing they lacked final time. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if Boston can flip it on within the playoffs as they count on.

1). Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia has been taking part in such great basketball these days that it’s arduous to recollect their previous playoff blunders. Joel Embiid is unstoppable, and Milwaukee solely has one man who can defend him—Brook Lopez. If Lopez goes down or will get into foul hassle, it may very well be tough. James Harden continues facilitating his a— off and has been underrated this season.