Ranking Milwaukee Bucks Biggest Playoff Threats In Eastern Conference

The Milwaukee Bucks’ primary focus in the regular season is to build good habits. Head coach Mike Budenholzer preaches it regularly and it has trickled down to the rest of his players. Heck, Giannis Antetokounmpo even tweeted it after their most recent victory.

That stems from their worry about controlling what they can control and focusing on their own game. They aren’t concerned about what others are doing and authentically feel they can win another NBA Championship if they play their best basketball.

Allow me to trouble myself about the standings and what the rest of the Eastern Conference is doing. With 10 games remaining in the Bucks’ season, I ranked the other nine teams currently in playoff position based on their threat to Milwaukee in a postseason series. I start with the least threatening (no. 9) and work our way down to the scariest potential opponent.

9). Chicago Bulls

Been there, done that. Milwaukee relinquished this same version of the Chicago Bulls in five games in the first round of last year’s playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bucks have improved, and the Bulls have trended in the opposite direction. This would be a defensive battle to its core—both teams rank in the top five of defensive rating

8). Toronto Raptors

It’s time to exorcise some demons and move on with our lives. Many Bucks’ fans still have nightmares about the Raptors (and rightfully so) from the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals. This Toronto team is not the same version and is significantly flawed. They’re one of the worst shooting teams in the entire NBA. The Bucks are 3-0 against them this season. The biggest concern would be turnovers: Milwaukee coughs the rock up at a high rate, and the Raptors force the most turnovers in the NBA.

7). Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn is a .500 team following the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trades, but probably doesn’t have enough to keep up with the Heat down the stretch. They likely end up in the play-in tournament. Milwaukee can beat them at every level and shouldn’t have much of an issue.

6). Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta’s talent is complicated to figure out. They should be several spots higher on paper, but they have underperformed for the second straight season. However, they give Milwaukee’s drop defense fits with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, capable of pulling up from three, hitting floaters, or tossing lobs to the bigs. Antetokounmpo has also commented on how good John Collins, Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu are at guarding him. Still, the Bucks are 2-2 against them this season.

5). New York Knicks

The Knicks are a great story once again and would present a unique challenge to the Bucks. Mitchell Robinson could make life difficult for Giannis Antetokounmpo with R.J. Barrett matching up on Khris Middleton. Offensively, they sport the fifth-highest points per 1oo possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass, with Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson leading the attack.

4). Miami Heat

Miami continues to underachieve based on their talent, but are beginning to find their footing. They’re 7-3 in their last 10 games and have surpassed the Nets for the sixth spot in the East. Could the Knicks in fifth be next? They have the 10th-best point differential and sixth-best offense over the last two weeks. We know how tough of an out Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and company can be.

3). Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs have multiple players on their roster who can make life difficult around the hoop in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Both are super athletic and lengthy bigs who can contest Antetokounmpo at the rim. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are as a dynamic backcourt duo as it comes. Ultimately, I don’t think they have enough offensive spacing (they start three non-shooters) to chase the Bucks out of the playoffs.

2). Boston Celtics

Although Milwaukee could lose to any team on this list, these are the two most likely opponents who will take them down this postseason. I went back and forth about which way to position them and this is how I landed. Since their last postseason matchup, Milwaukee crafted their team to take down the Celtics. Jae Crowder and Joe Ingles give them the size on the wing they lacked last time. It will be interesting to see if Boston can turn it on in the playoffs as they expect.

1). Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia has been playing such tremendous basketball lately that it’s hard to remember their past playoff blunders. Joel Embiid is unstoppable, and Milwaukee only has one guy who can defend him—Brook Lopez. If Lopez goes down or gets into foul trouble, it could be rough. James Harden continues facilitating his a— off and has been underrated this season.