The Milwaukee Bucks boast an NBA MVP favorite in star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the Boston Celtics might have his kryptonite in ... a guy who played 29 seconds in the first round?
That's the case NBC Sports' Tom Haberstroh makes in his latest "Big Number" segment: that Semi Ojeleye, of all people, could be the key to containing the Greek Freak.
Here's the evidence: The Bucks have a 109.6 offensive rating over the least two seasons. But on possessions when Ojeleye guards Antetokounmpo, that number drops to 104.3.
As Haberstroh points out, Ojeleye hasn't exactly kept Antetokounmpo off the score sheet. The superstar forward has shot 59 percent from the floor while averaging 34 points per 100 possessions when defended by Ojeleye over the last two seasons.
But Milwaukee's offense still suffers as a whole when Ojeleye locks up Giannis, which is why head coach Brad Stevens has started the little-used swingman in five of Boston's last six matchups with the Bucks.
Stevens has raved about Ojeleye's defensive prowess, so with Marcus Smart sidelined, we could be seeing a lot more muscle on the court during Round 2.
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