Game 62/82: Celtics (40-21) @ Bucks (33-29)

Posted by Brendan Jackson on Mar 9, 2010 66237 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F03%2F09%2Fgame-6282-celtics-40-21-bucks-33-29%2FGame+62%2F82%3A+Celtics+%2840-21%29+%40+Bucks+%2833-29%292010-03-09+21%3A28%3A50Brendan+Jacksonhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D6623

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 106.9 points/100 possessions (14th)

Milwaukee: 104.5 points/100 possessions (23rd)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 101.9 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)

Milwaukee: 102.8 points allowed/100 possessions (3rd)

Probable Milwaukee starters:
Brandon Jennings, Andrew Bogut, John Salmons, Carlos Delfino, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute

Thumbnail:The Celtics try to make it five in a row against a team that is playing excellent basketball as of late.  In their past ten game, the Bucks have gone 9-1 including wins against Cleveland (sans LeBron) and 20+ point wins against Miami (sans Wade) and New Orleans (eeeesh).  Their only loss in the past ten games? A four point loss to Atlanta…in overtime.

WHAT THE BUCKS DO WELL:
BalanceThe Bucks sport talent on all sides of the ball. By now you know what Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut can do offensively.  Mbah a Moute is their defensive stopper on the wing, and newly acquired John Salmons is now their “goto” swingman.  The Bucks’ bench also doesn’t really provide a drop-off in talent or fire power.  If Mbah a Moute isn’t getting enough done of the offensive end, they can sub in Ersan Ilyasova.  This guy torched Kevin Garnett the last time the Bucks and Celtics met by taking him out beyond the arc. 

Another new face in a Bucks uni the C’s haven’t seen yet this season is journeyman (did I really just write that….damn) Jerry Stackhouse.  Stackhouse backs up Salmons and can always be counted on for an offensive spurt and the always steady Luke Ridnour backs up Jennings at the point.

Take Care of the Basketball

The Bucks are the sixth best team at not turning the ball over.  This feat will only be highlighted as the Celtics will probably cough up the ball between 10 to 15 times tonight.

WHAT THE BUCKS DO POORLY
Shoot

The Bucks tie the Pacers with the one of the worst team field goal percentages at 43.6%.  To put this number in perspective, it is second only to the Nets at 42.6%.  That is not good.  Who accounts for this?  Well, luckily for the Bucks, two guys who won’t play tonight.  Michael Redd (35.2%) is injured and Jodie Meeks (36.2%) was traded away.  Still, Jennings is sporting a lowly 36.6% proving that 50 point games by rookies are not without their consequences.  Likewise, Charlie Bell is hovering just under 40% (39.6).   We all know how many minutes Jennings plays, but for Bell, that’s a rough percentage for a guy who plays as many minutes as Mbah a Moute.

They Are Young

Part of the problem with being a rookie is inconsistency.  No one knows this better than Brandon Jennings, who is still struggling with shot selection.  One look at the game log for this season, and you’ll quickly notice a pattern of a twenty point games followed by two in single digits.   Take the fact that Jennings has to go against Rajon Rondo, and combine it with the fact that he scored 25 in the win against Cleveland, and you have a recipe for a dud.

Mbah a Moute and Ilyasova are also two second year players that account for a lot of minutes for this Bucks team.

 PLAYER THAT MAKE ME WORRY

Andrew Bogut

The big man has come a long way since being picked number one overall some four years ago.  He has fashioned himself some fancy posts moves that left Kendrick Perkins befuddled in their last meeting.  It’s time for Perk to step up and show that his defense does not just consist of being able to “chest up” Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum.  He needs to show that he can play smart and stop the Bogut baby hooks.

PLAYER WHO DOES NOT MAKE ME WORRY

Charlie Bell

Seriously, there has to be some D-League players better than this guy. 

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE C’S TONIGHT:

I want to see Perkins contain Bogut, Rondo frustrate Jennings, and Kevin Garnett to score 25 on 9-10 shooting.  Too much to ask for?  No way.

Oh, and who else is dying to see Michael Finley match-up against Jerry Stackhouse?  Come on, I want to see some hands!

Prediction:

I’m feeling good about this one because the Celtics need a “feel good” win.

Celtics 101, Bucks 93