MILWAUKEE -- When every possession matters in the NBA playoffs, there is nothing more valuable to an NBA offense than efficiency. Maximizing opportunities can turn close games into big leads in a hurry and that’s exactly what happened in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals as the Celtics rolled out 18-3 and 32-9 runs in each half to send the Bucks defense reeling. The C's sought out mismatches, play to their strengths and put the NBA on notice with one of their best wins of the season.

A lot of the attention has understandably been on Kyrie Irving and Al Horford after their huge performances but one other guy has fallen under the radar a bit this postseason, at least when it comes to his offensive effort. Jaylen Brown scored 19 points in a Game 1 win, including a highlight reel dunk on Giannis Antetokounmpo that had the basketball world buzzing

The 14 field goal attempts that Brown took was a bit higher than normal as he played a playoff-high 36 minutes in the victory. However, his efficiency remained on par (8-of-14) with where he’s been all playoffs long. Through five games, Brown leads the Celtics among their regulars (min: 15 min per game) in field goal percentage, knocking down 58 percent of his shots from the field during the five-game winning streak.

A look deeper into the numbers reveals an even more impressive number. Brown is shooting 72(!) percent from 2-point range through five games, which leads all remaining active players in the NBA postseason. The other names at the top of that list are either centers (Clint Capela), guys that don’t take 3s (Ben Simmons) or superstars (Kawhi Leonard). Brown’s ability to finish makes him arguably the most dangerous fourth or fifth option in a starting lineup this postseason as he attempts just 8.6 shots per game (fewest in the starting five).

The Celtics have needed him to be a defender first and foremost this postseason in defending Bojan Bogdanovic and now Khris Middleton, but his ability to take on more scoring while staying efficient is what has brought this Celtics offense to a different level.

“When I came into the league, people knew me as a defender, athlete, fast, strong, quick first step,” Brown told BostonSportsJournal.com. “They knew they could use me on the defensive end. I don't think they thought I would develop -- even within the front office or the coaching staff -- as fast as I did. That's kind of where it was. Kind of like you get typecast.

“Everyone expects you to be what you were when you were drafted, but I've gotten better and better every year. Defense is still my emphasis but I can still score the ball too.”

While Brown is finishing strong in the paint and on turnaround, his 3-point shooting has been nearly just as stellar. He’s knocked down 42 percent of his 3s this postseason despite attempting more than his season average (4.2 per game) from downtown. He’s shooting confidently and in rhythm, which is making the Bucks defense pay when they lay off him or help elsewhere.

When Jaylen doesn't hesitate and steps confidently into his jumper like this I swear he shoots 96% pic.twitter.com/LYM9bQX2uC — Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) April 28, 2019

Get em Juice pic.twitter.com/zcZu2bAUrK — Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) April 28, 2019

The end result is a Celtics lineup that gives a Bucks team that lacks long athletic wings plenty of headaches, something we saw firsthand in Game 1.

“I think we can really shoot the ball, especially when we get it going,” Brown said of the smaller Celtics lineups. “We have a bunch of players that can dribble, pass and shoot, which is what the NBA is.”

Whether or not Brown will remain in the closing five on a nightly basis remains to be seen as several other Celtics perform well next to him. For now, he’s embracing a second chance at the starting five after Marcus Smart went down with injury. The guy many fans expected to see torch opponents from the start of the regular season is now playing to his offensive strengths more and giving whatever the team needs on a nightly basis.

“I just do my job,” Brown said. “Brad's been coming up with the game plan to put the players on the floor to be in the position. I hope I'm one of those guys but if not I understand. Whatever the matchups are, we just have to try to take advantage.”

That type of buy-in and production will make the Celtics a very tough team to beat the rest of the postseason.

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