The Boston Celtics travel to the Fiserv Forum for the first time this season to take on the Milwaukee Bucks.

Here are some notes and takeaways leading up to tipoff in Milwaukee tonight:

• No matter what happens tonight, the Celtics will still be in first place if they were to lose to the Bucks in Milwaukee tonight.

• This is a great opportunity for Boston’s depth to continue to showcase themselves as being worthy against a potential playoff opponent sometime down the road.
• The Celtics main starting group are all on the injury report and likely will be out for this game. Smart, Brown, and Tatum are already ruled out.
• So far, the only addition the Celtics have made is adding Mike Muscala, who’s been quite impressive in his first two games with the team. It’ll be great to see him log more minutes with Boston’s core while they manage a lengthy injury report heading into the All-Star break.
• It’s worth mentioning this game will be against a top-level defense vs the Bucks tonight, it’s a great test for Boston to evaluate themselves against a talented team that can hang with them.
• If Al Horford plays tonight, he will not play tomorrow against Detroit, to follow his program of not playing the second night of a back-to-back. I wouldn’t mind seeing Muscala get some extended run as a result and maybe even start on Wednesday vs Detroit.
• Jayson Tatum being load managed isn’t a bad thing at all, in fact, it’s being encouraged. He’s logging too many minutes in the regular season and the fear of deja vu is real as Tatum was exhausted by the time the Celtics landed in the Finals.
• I’m indifferent on Malcolm Brogdon’s recent injury, as he’s missed games as of late due to soreness in his right achilles. Brogdon’s injury history speaks for itself. Until I get a little more clarity, this should be worrisome for Boston.
• Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have continued to prove they’re able to provide a role for Boston, which is why Pritchard is still here after the trading deadline, to be honest.

As I said earlier, this game will be a great challenge for Boston’s depth. A challenge I think they’ll be able to overcome in Milwaukee.

Tipoff is at 7:30 at the Fiserv Forum.

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Photo Credit: Chris Marion, NBAE Getty Images