NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 most interesting player matchups

4 of 6

NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 most interesting player matchups - Photo Credit: BOSTON, MA - December 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics await the ball on December 4, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Al Horford

Al Horford is the Celtics’ last All-Star standing in these NBA playoffs. He’ll be going up against the tenacious Giannis Antetokounmpo. This is a series that could go either way, and Giannis is expected to put on a show.

Horford will have to be playing lockdown D in the post to stop the Bucks from pulling an upset. The Celtics are run by one of the league’s best coaches, but they’ll have to make do without two All-Stars in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Horford’s scoring has dropped off a bit this year but his impact remains as valuable as ever. He’ll be looked at to lead a team made up of sophomores and rookies back to their original estimate of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Meanwhile, the Bucks have mostly underachieved this year considering their level of talent. Jabari Parker will be an X-Factor in this series along with Eric Bledsoe. It’s their chance to shine in the spotlight while the pressure both on the court and off of it (media wise) will center on teammate Giannis. If they can elevate their game while defenses try to slow down Antetokounmpo, they have a chance of pushing the Bucks over the edge. However, Stevens’ expert coaching of the Celtics will likely define this series.

Next: James Harden vs. Jimmy Butler