Inside The Celtics

What Stands Out About Celtics-Bucks Second-Round Schedule

Game 1 between the Celtics and Bucks tips off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Bobby Krivitsky

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday night, after the Bucks dispatched the Bulls, setting up a second-round matchup with the Celtics, the NBA revealed the series schedule.

If the Bucks won Wednesday, it was known, the series would start Sunday in Boston. But what stands out about this schedule is that after Game 2 on Tuesday, the two teams don't play again until Saturday. That's valuable time for Robert Williams to strengthen his knee and build stamina. And for Jaylen Brown to treat his bothersome hamstring.

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Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Not to mention, getting an extended break after seeing what both sides throw at each other in the first two games will result in some intriguing adjustments come Game 3.

Another takeaway from seeing the schedule is that after the extended time off between Games 2 and 3, there's one day between the following matchups. Yes, travel for these teams is luxurious, but the rushed nature of having one day between any contest after Game 4, when they'll travel for any remaining matchups, is a bit surprising.

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Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA has a timeline for the playoffs they want to adhere to, but perhaps it would've made more sense to balance the schedule for this series by giving the Celtics and Bucks less time between Games 2 and 3 and more between potential matchups on the backend.

Further Reading

Report: Khris Middleton Expected to Miss Entire Second-Round Series vs. Celtics

Ime Udoka Provides Update on Jaylen Brown's Hamstring Tightness

Bucks Eliminate Bulls, Setting Up Second-Round Series vs. Celtics

As Robert Williams Works to Get Back to Full Strength, He Says There's 'No pain at all. Knee is responding well'

Celtics Discuss Decision not to Avoid the Nets: 'I'm assuming a road to the championship is never easy'

What Stood Out in the Celtics' Game 4 Win: Without Tatum, Boston Fends Off Nets to Earn Sweep

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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