Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the league with 32.6 points per game.

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Two of the most dominant NBA franchises in recent years, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, will face off tonight on ESPN (7:30 p.m. ET). Since the start of the 2019-20 season, no team has been more successful: Boston leads the league with 274 wins, while Milwaukee is close behind with 271.

Both have won an NBA title during that span, and at least one has reached the Eastern Conference Finals in each of the last six seasons. Now these Eastern Conference powerhouses meet for the third time this season, with the Bucks looking to avenge two previous losses and continue their recent resurgence.

Dollars catch fire

After a shaky 2-8 start, Milwaukee has found its rhythm, winning nine of its last 11 games and moving from 12th to fifth in the East.

What is behind the change? The Bucks’ long-range shooting was electrifying. In their first 10 games, they shot 35.6% from distance, averaging 12.6 three-pointers per game. But since then, they’ve been the NBA’s best from downtown with a 41.9% shooting percentage and 16.5 triples per night.

Milwaukee also cracked down on defense. The Bucks have had an opponent percentage of less than 50% in 14 consecutive games, which is the longest such streak in the league this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have anchored the Bucks. The dynamic duo is thriving, combining for a league-best 58.5 points per game. Giannis, who celebrates his 30th birthday tonight, leads the league with 32.6 points per game while Lillard scores 25.9 points.

Celtics set standards

Boston enters the match with the second-best record in the NBA (18-4), powered by its own superstar duo. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combine to average 53.6 points per game, ranking second among NBA duos behind Milwaukee’s tandem.

The Celtics’ success relies on their depth and deadly three-point shooting. While Tatum (+10.2) and Brown (+10.1) rank second and third in the NBA in plus-minus range, they are also joined by seven Celtics players who average at least two three-pointers per score game.

Boston leads the league with 19.1 three-pointers made per game and has reached the 20 three-pointer mark in nine games this season – four more than any other team. They went a perfect 9-0 in those games, contributing to a historic winning percentage of 91.5% (54-5 all-time) when making 20 or more three-pointers.

The stage is set for an exciting battle between two title contenders. Will Giannis celebrate his milestone birthday with a win, or will Boston crash the party?

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