NBA 2023 – In some cases, having two digits can be lovely. A 92 to 89 victory for the Milwaukee Bucks over the Boston Celtics on Valentine’s Day at Fiserv Forum would satisfy certain NBA purists, including the Kia Defensive Player Ladder committee.

A traditional grinder would be a pleasant palate cleanser during this season of astronomical scoring inflation. Several causes, including hand-checking defense, a dearth of 3-pointers, and coaches who believed they might slow down their adversaries by slowing down everything, contributed to its popularity 20 to 30 years ago.

These types of games are now uncommon. For instance, the Celtics and the Bucks have each played only two games in which neither they nor their opponents have scored 100 points, despite being ranked No. 4 and No. 2 in defensive rating, respectively. In those games, they had an overall record of 1 to 3.

When did these two last cross paths? Fuhgeddaboudit. Defense took a break over the Christmas holiday in Boston. Despite shooting just 58.8% overall and 19-of-39 from beyond the arc, the Celtics prevailed, 139 to 118. Despite making 50% of their attempts and going 13 of 36 from beyond the arc, the Bucks still lost.

With just 102.5 points allowed per 100 possessions just three seasons ago, the Bucks easily led the NBA in defensive rating. At 109.7, they are second right now.

The Celtics posted a 98.1 rating and won the championship in 2007–08, the season Kevin Garnett was released as the league’s ultimate defensive spoilsport. Furthermore, Milwaukee or Boston (110.5) so far this season have a better defensive record than 26 of the 30 teams from that season.

That season, each team scored an average of 99.9 points. In 2022 to 23: 114.3. With ratings of 109.0 and 105.9 points allowed per game, respectively, the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently first in both categories; at the start of the century, they would have been worst in both. The Spurs allowed the fewest points in 1999 to 2000, while the Lakers had the highest rating (96.4). (90.2).

Today, we accept the defensive leaders Boston, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Memphis, and Miami for their comparatively high levels of excellence.

Along with Marcus Smart, the reigning Kia Defensive Player of the Year, who is frequently injured, and Robert Williams III, who can affect the game when healthy, the Celtics have a no-nonsense coach in Joe Mazzulla who emphasizes that side of the ball.

Similar to Milwaukee’s defense, the Bucks team features defensive players all over it, from ladder leader Brook Lopez in the middle to guard Jrue Holiday on the ball and Giannis Antetokounmpo as a helper who can rain down punishment. Additionally, the staff of head coach Mike Budenholzer recently added Jae Crowder for the P.J. Two years earlier, it was Tucker’s performance that gave them the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Perhaps all of this is more enjoyable and fun, and it serves as a greater display of the incredible abilities of the players of today. However, it comes close to being sufficient to cause the Ladder to fold and hang itself within the garage.