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Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking Eastern Conference Challengers Ahead of NBA Restart

By Brian Sampson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks watches during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on November 06, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks watches during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on November 06, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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With the NBA season set to resume, let’s take a moment to rank the biggest Eastern Conference challengers to the Milwaukee Bucks.

With the NBA set to resume with an eight-game regular season schedule at the end of July, the Milwaukee Bucks are all but guaranteed the top seed in the Eastern Conference. That’s the result of their season-long dominance over the NBA.

Until right before the NBA was suspended, Milwaukee was on pace for a 70-win season. A three-game slide that they’re technically still on, changed that. What it didn’t change, however, was that the Bucks own a 6.5 game lead over the second-place Toronto Raptors. That lead basically guarantees they’ll be the top team in the East.

Dominating the regular season for the second-straight season, the Bucks headed into the 2019 playoffs as the favorites and had this same confidence in their game. Fortunately, there’s no Kawhi Leonard–or any version–waiting for them in the Eastern Conference playoffs. There are still great teams and players they’ll face on their journey so let’s rank the top four teams.

4. Miami Heat

The Miami heat currently own the fourth seed and could be in line for a showdown with the Bucks in the semi-finals. Jimmy Butler has helped the franchise resurface as one of the better teams in the conference, but they still lack firepower to challenge Milwaukee. Bam Adebayo will make life difficult for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they lack the offensive firepower to likely seriously challenge Milwaukee in a seven-game series.

3. Boston Celtics

Despite having the third-best record in the East, the Boston Celtics fall behind the 76ers on this list. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have taken steps forward this season and have helped replace the loss of Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. Kemba Walker is also a legit threat. However, the lack of a “Giannis-stopper” would make life difficult if they come across Milwaukee in the postseason. The Bucks are also a better all-around team.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are the wildcard. They’re currently in sixth place in the East, but have the talent to match up with anyone in the NBA. They dominated at home (29-2), but sucked it up on the road (10-24). It will be interesting to see which version shows up in the neutral site Orlando games.

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1. Toronto Raptors

Despite losing Leonard, the Toronto Raptors continue to pose the biggest challenge to the Bucks. They are a team full of very good (even if not great) defenders and make every single player on the court work to get buckets. Nick Nurse is also unafraid to try new schemes and throw wrinkle after wrinkle at his opponents. It will be interesting to see if they can make up for Leonard’s loss in other ways and take down the Bucks for the second straight year should these two teams meet.

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