Milwaukee Bucks: Predicting rotation for first round of playoffs

The Milwaukee Bucks have a number of tough questions to answer ahead of their first round playoff series including who will be in their rotation.

The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a bit of a conundrum. They were the healthiest team in the NBA until the All-Star break, but have hit a bit of bad luck. Okay, more than a bit. Malcolm Brogdon, Nikola Mirotic, Tony Snell, Donte DiVincenzo and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all been bit by the injury bug lately.

DiVincenzo is the only one who is out for the year and the others all have various recovery times. Antetokounmpo’s is the least serious, but he’s tweaked his ankle a few times over the last couple of weeks. After him, Snell and Mirotic should make their return before the regular season ends. Brogdon, however, is out until the beginning of the second round of the playoffs at the very least.

All of this makes it somewhat difficult to predict what the Bucks’ playoff rotation will look like. Head coach Mike Budenholzer is dually tasked with ensuring they make it out of the first round and ensuring they get healthier.

Milwaukee has been fortunate enough to be one of the deepest teams in the NBA. When everyone is fully healthy, they have a rotation that could go 10 or 11 deep. However, the rotations typically tighten up once the playoffs begin which means a few players who were used to seeing playing time will find themselves on the bench. Let’s peek at what the Bucks’ playoff rotation could look like.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 37 minutes

This number could be a bit higher, but the Bucks should be able to easily handle their business without overtaxing their MVP candidate. Budenholzer will likely bump this up a few more minutes following the first round.

Khris Middleton: 37 minutes

This is the sweet spot for Middleton. It allows him to max a huge impact on the game without overusing him. Middleton will have every opportunity to thrive in the playoffs.

Eric Bledsoe: 33 minutes

Bledsoe is certainly capable of playing a lot more than this. However, Milwaukee will ask him to defend the opponent’s best perimeter player; a daunting task.

Brook Lopez: 30 minutes

This is a little higher than Lopez’ season average, but it should be a fine spot. The Bucks are fortunate they don’t have to overuse Lopez because they are very deep in their front court.

Nikola Mirotic: 26 minutes

Mirotic benefits from Brogdon’s absence and gets the start in his spot. This means the Bucks play a lot of their jumbo lineups and Mirotic spends more time at the 3.

Sterling Brown: 25

Brown has been playing great since his return from injury. He deserves this large slice of the backup wing minutes and will have every opportunity to earn a larger role moving forward.

George Hill: 21

Hill gets all of the backup point guard minutes and some time alongside Bledsoe as well. He’s been great defensively and has begun to re-gain some explosiveness.

Ersan Ilyasova: 20

Ilyasova’s spot in the rotation means there isn’t enough room for a fifth big in D.J. Wilson. Budenholzer has preferred Ilyasova all season long and there’s no reason that should change at this point.

Pat Connaughton: 11

Connaughton has played very well as of late and has shot his way into the playoff rotation. He’s unlikely to see time when Brogdon returns, but Connaughton has earned this last spot.