The reigning champs are still undefeated this season. They’ll be taking on the Milwaukee Bucks this Monday at TD Garden. The Celtics are 3-0 this season, marginally edging out the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. The team which won only 14 games last year, challenging the current champs is just another testimony to the modern NBA game, where nothing is certain. But the champions can navigate these pressure situations.

The Bucks currently hold a 1-2 record, with a win over an under-manned 76ers team and a loss to the Chicago Bulls and the Brooklyn Nets. Additionally, Milwaukee will be at a rest disadvantage, as they faced the Nets in Brooklyn on Sunday, marking the second game of a back-to-back. Except for the Detroit Pistons’ game, the Boston Celtics have been steamrolling their opponents. 

Steve Kerr has created monsters. After the Paris Olympics controversy, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown every time they are on the court and are out for blood. For anyone who is unaware of the controversy, Brown wasn’t selected for the Olympics while Tatum didn’t get enough playtime. Tatum scored 37 points in the match against the Pistons, and his teammate Brown scored 24.

The Bucks have had a mixed start to the season, dominating the Philadelphia 76ers in their opener before facing a setback with a high-scoring loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday and again losing to the Nets on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge against Chicago, recording 38 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Damian Lillard added 28 points and eight assists, despite the defeat.

One name is constant on the Boston Celtic’s sheet

Tatum continued his impressive start to the season with another standout performance on Saturday. He came out strongly in the first half, racking up 22 points and hitting 5 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc. It’s evident that his adjusted shooting form—at least in the early going—has benefited the All-NBA forward, as he is displaying a high level of confidence in his shots.

Luke Kornet took on a significant role during the fourth quarter before Al Horford came in to finish the game. Although the Pistons created several excellent scoring opportunities, the Celtics’ defense tightened up in the last moments. The Celtics increased their intensity, recording several blocks and deflections as they heightened their defensive efforts.

The Celtics missed rotation forward Sam Hauser for the second consecutive game because of low back discomfort. Nonetheless, head coach Joe Mazzulla kept the rotation relatively unchanged. He utilized eight players in Saturday’s close matchup, including bench contributions from Pritchard, Kornet, and Xavier Tillman.

For the Bucks matchup, Hauser is probable. Hauser played in the first match against the New York Knicks but did not make an appearance in the other 2 matches owing to lower back pain. Kristaps Porzingis eyes a return for December as a November debut does not look likely. He is rehabbing from left posterior tibialis tendon surgery, which he suffered during the finals.

Do the Milwaukee Bucks just require more youth?

After Doc Rivers praised the young Milwaukee Bucks over the summer, many expected them to play a more significant role in the team’s rotations. While AJ Green has had some opportunities, his contributions have been limited, and he doesn’t possess the same athleticism as some of the other young players, particularly in terms of jumping ability and defensive quickness.

If Milwaukee wants to avoid being outmatched by these youthful teams like they were throughout last season, they must integrate their younger players more actively into the rotation. Andre Jackson Jr. was one of the team’s best defenders in the playoffs series last season. Jackson stands out as the most exciting young prospect, but Chris Livingston, MarJon Beauchamp, and rookies AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith also bring the athleticism and youthful energy that the Milwaukee Bucks currently lack.

There is no updated injury report for the Bucks as of now. Since they are playing back-to-back, their report might come close to the game. But for the last game, Khris Middleton was out rehabbing from a bilateral ankle surgery. Giannis was also probable last match because of right patella tendinitis but he went to drop 22 points. AJ Green also saw a few minutes against the Nets.

The Bucks remain under-manned with Khris Middleton still sidelined, while the Celtics have once again ruled out Kristaps Porzingis and listed Sam Hauser as questionable. Milwaukee has struggled to gain any momentum and faced a dismal defeat against the struggling Nets, a team they swept last season. In contrast, the Celtics have emerged as the league’s hottest team, even without being at full strength, making it no surprise that they have opened as significant favorites in this matchup. But who knows, the Bucks could pull off an upset.