Numbers preview: Boston Celtics (2) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (7)

The Boston Celtics don't have Gordon Hayward or Kyrie Irving, but they still have the No. 1 defense in the league. So they can't be counted out in what looks like the most wide open Eastern Conference we've seen in a few years.

The Milwaukee Bucks didn't take much of a step forward in Giannis Antetokounmpo's fifth season (a disjointed campaign in which they never won or lost more than four games in a row), mostly because they haven't figured out how to take advantage of their length defensively. Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the league, but has yet to win a playoff series.

A series against a shorthanded 2 seed is an opportunity to do that. But going in, the Celtics should have a much better idea of who they are and how to win.

Here are some statistical notes to get you ready for the 2-7 series in the East, with links to let you dive in and explore more. Game 1 is Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on TNT.

Pace = Possessions per 48 minutes
OffRtg = Points scored per 100 possessions
DefRtg = Points allowed per 100 possessions
NetRtg = Point differential per 100 possessions

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