The landscape of the NBA’s Eastern Conference has undergone a significant transformation in recent days, with notable player movements involving Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. As both teams gear up for the 2023-24 season, they emerge as formidable contenders, but here are two compelling reasons why the Celtics could have the edge over the Bucks in their quest to secure the Eastern Conference title.

The acquisition of Damian Lillard undoubtedly bolsters the Bucks’ offensive firepower, creating a formidable pairing with Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the departure of Jrue Holiday, widely regarded as one of the league’s premier defensive guards, represents a significant loss for the Bucks—a loss that the Celtics are set to capitalize on.

Boston now possesses a distinct advantage in backcourt defense, elevating it to a position of strength. Pairing Jrue Holiday with Jaylen Brown in the backcourt may not match Holiday’s defensive prowess, but it presents a formidable defensive duo. Additionally, the Celtics can call upon Derrick White coming off the bench, creating a trio capable of challenging the league’s top backcourt tandems.

Conversely, the Bucks, while elated about Lillard’s arrival, recognize that defense is not his forte. Lillard’s defensive limitations have plagued the Trail Blazers throughout his tenure. Replacing Holiday with Lillard will undoubtedly impact the Bucks’ defensive capabilities in the backcourt. Furthermore, his likely starting partner, Malik Beasley, does not possess a reputation as a defensive stalwart either.

While the Bucks boast a well-rounded roster post-Lillard trade, their vulnerability in defending the backcourt could be a weakness that the Celtics seek to exploit.

Recent Head-to-Head Success Examining recent history may be a stretch, but it offers a compelling narrative. As these two teams potentially face each other in the Conference Finals, recent encounters favor the Celtics.

Reflecting on their 2022 Conference Semifinal matchup, where the Bucks held a 3-2 series lead, the Celtics secured four wins out of five games. Their comeback victory sealed the series 4-3 in their favor. Additionally, in last year’s three-game regular season series, the Celtics triumphed 2-1, including a dominant 140-99 win. Notably, in that game, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for an impressive 70 points.

Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Bucks and Celtics appear evenly matched, poised to deliver an exciting showdown. While predicting the outcome remains challenging, the Celtics have demonstrated an ability to outperform the Bucks in recent encounters, making them a credible contender for Eastern Conference supremacy.