Game 5/82: Bucks (1-3) @ C’s (3-1): Open Thread

Posted by Mike Salvucci on Nov 3, 2010 1038928 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F11%2F03%2Fgame-582-bucks-1-3-cs-3-1-open-thread%2FGame+5%2F82%3A+Bucks+%281-3%29+%40+C%27s+%283-1%29%3A+Open+Thread2010-11-03+21%3A30%3A03Mike+Salvuccihttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D10389

Milwaukee at Boston
TD Garden
8:00 PM EST
TV: ESPN

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 105.6 points/100 possessions (15th)

Milwaukee: 97.0 points/100 possessions (28th)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 98.2 points allowed/100 possessions (4th)

Milwaukee: 102.3 points allowed/100 possessions (8th)

Probable Milwaukee starters:

Brandon Jennings, John Salmons, Carlos Delfino, Drew Gooden, Andrew Bogut

Thumbnail: The Celtics look to extend their winning streak to 3 games tonight at home against the Bucks. The C’s went 2-1 against Milwaukee last season.

WHAT THE BUCKS DO WELL:

Play defense. Milwaukee hasn’t allowed more than 96 points in a game and opponents are averaging only 92.3 points against them. That’s good for 7^th in the league. Maybe this can be attributed to their relatively weak schedule (Hornets, Wolves, Bobcats, Blazers), but the Bucks also finished 7^th in opponent’s ppg in 2009-2010.

WHAT THE BUCKS DO POORLY:

Pass the basketball. The Bucks are 26^th in the NBA in assists, averaging 16.8 per game. And yes, that’s the exact same number that Rajon Rondo is averaging by himself this season.

PLAYER/S WHO MAKE ME WORRY:

Brandon Jennings

Jennings turned in one of the best all-around games in his young career, with his first triple-double (20-10-10) against the Bobcats Saturday. The Bucks have received good offensive production from Carlos Delfino and Corey Maggette (both averaging 16 ppg), but Jennings is the engine that runs this Bucks team. He’s still learning what it takes to be an NBA point guard,  but when he gets hot, he’s an elite scorer in this league. As long as the Celtics can contain him, they should have success.

PLAYER/S WHO DON’T MAKE ME WORRY:

John Salmons

Normally, Salmons plays well against the Celtics (Bulls playoff series, anyone?), but he is off to a horrendous start this season. Salmons is averaging 7.8 ppg on 26 percent shooting. Yikes.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE C’S TONIGHT: Second night of a back-to-back against an inferior team…take two. The Celtics’ underwhelming performance against Cleveland wasn’t a complete surprise after their emotional victory against the Heat. But let’s avoid starting a trend here. Look for the Celtics’ bench to have a big game tonight. The Bucks are not very deep, and Big Baby and crew should be able to take advantage.

Prediction: Celtics 96, Bucks 93