Milwaukee Bucks: Jrue Holiday Is Why They’ll Repeat
The second-round series in the NBA playoffs between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics has been tight. The Bucks lead the series 3-2 after their dramatic 110-107 victory in Game 5 on the road in Boston. Milwaukee trailed by as many as 14 points early in the 4th quarter. But they came back late, took the lead and held on for their three-point win.
Once again, the Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo had another big game with 40 points. But Jrue Holiday also had a big game and was instrumental down the stretch, to help the Bucks close out a pivotal Game 5 win. Holiday scored 24 points and shot 4 for 7 from 3-point land. But Holiday also came up big in the defensive end on two occasions, as he’s done all season.
The first occasion happened after Milwaukee took a one-point lead on Bobby Portis’s rebound and putback layup off a Giannis missed free throw. On the Celtics’ possession, Marcus Smart drove to the lane for a layup. Holiday came from behind and blocked Smart’s layup. Then when the ball was about to go out of bounds, Holiday saved the ball by making it hit Smart and going out of bounds. Milwaukee got the ball back as a result.
After Milwaukee took a three-point lead on two free throws, Boston had one last possession to tie. Smart dribbled the ball to halfcourt. But Holiday stole the ball and dribbled it as time expired.
The Bucks clearly would not have won Game 5 if not for Holiday’s defensive heroics.
Holiday came to the Milwaukee Bucks at the start of last season in 2020. Before that, Milwaukee had the NBA’s best record in the previous seasons. However, they fell short in the playoffs and failed to reach the Finals.
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Last season with Holiday as their starting point guard, the Bucks finally got to the Finals and won the NBA championship. Giannis and Kris Middleton got the most credit for their offensive heroics. But Holiday was the X-Factor, especially in the defensive end.
Holiday has been the Bucks’ best defensive player over the last two seasons. It showed his value in last season’s playoffs. He slowed down Trae Young in the conference finals. Then he made things very difficult for Chris Paul and Devin Booker in the Finals.
It hasn’t changed this season. Holiday continues to play solid defense and it showed in the closing seconds of Game 5 vs the Celtics.
Oh, and he’s a solid offensive player too. Holiday averaged 17.7 points per game and 6.1 assists in the 2020-2021 season. He also shot 50% from the field and 39% from three-point land.
This season, Holiday averaged 18.3 ppg, along with 6.1 assists. Once again, he shot 50% from the field and 41% from three point range.
He has been a solid third option behind Giannis and Middleton. But with Middleton out during the playoffs, Holiday has stepped up a notch as the second option behind Giannis. That along with his defense has made the Bucks still formidable in the playoffs.
Even without Middleton, The Milwaukee Bucks are one win away from reaching the conference finals. Holiday has had a big say on that with his two-way play. Even if Middleton is out for the rest of the playoffs, the Bucks still have the pieces to repeat as champions. Mainly because they have a two-time MVP in Giannis. But also because of Holiday leading the point and making plays on both ends of the floor, especially defensively.
