The victory for the Boston Celtics (21-4) seems to be in dry clothes shortly after the half-time break. But despite a 20-point advantage, the Milwaukee Bucks (12-10) are back again – thanks in particular to an excellent Giannis Antetokounmposia. In the final minutes, however, Kyrie Irving sets the decisive course for Celtics’ overall deserved 111:100 victory (BOXSCORE).
At the beginning of the season, the Defense was the clear flagship of Celtics, but this evening, the hosts set off their scents from the start. This was especially true of Rookie Jayson Tatum, who scuttled four threesomes in the first 12 minutes, putting the Celts in front by 8 points.
Afterwards, it was the bank around the strong Daniel Theis who further extended the lead for the current top team of the Eastern Conference. With 19 points in the meantime, Boston was in front before Milwaukee, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, slightly shortened the gap until the half-time break (62:49 for BOS).
The first minutes of the second half, however, suggested that Boston had everything under control. The hosts worked out a 20-point lead, were superior both in the zone and from a distance. But when coach Brad Stevens sent a small lineup on the floor, the bucks came back.
The “Greak Freak” led his team up to 7 points with 40 points (14/24 FG, 12/14 FT), 9 rebounds and 4 assists. However, it remained up to the final seconds. Despite the excellent Greak freak Milwaukee could not turn the game any more. Also the good support of Khris Middleton (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) or Eric Bledsoe (18 points) didn’t help much anymore.
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Although Boston were unable to match the strong first-half offense in the fourth quarter, Kyrie Irving refused to let Celtics take control of the game. The Point Guard scored 19 of his 32 points (13/24 FG, plus 4 rebounds and only 1 assist) in the second half, in the final minutes he also scored an ice-cold threesome.
Al Horford also made a strong appearance alongside Irving. With 20 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists the Big Man played a big part in the victory, Jayson Tatum cooled down a bit after his hot start and finally reached 17 points (5/6 FG). Theis was able to convince in his 10 minutes time and contributed 6 points, 1 rebound and 1 block.
Celtics vs. Bucks: This way to the BOXSCORE!
Kyrie Irving. The Point Guard was not only the top scorer of Celtics, it also proved once again why it is one of the best clutch scorers of the Association. In the decisive final minutes, the 25-year-old sealed the victory with a strong drive and an icy three-way finish.
Bank of the Bucks. Throughout the season, Milwaukee’s reservists are not necessarily among the best the NBA has to offer. Apart from Malcolm Brogdon (10 points), the guests’ bank also disappointed against Boston. The reserveists’ duel went quite clearly to Celtics at 24:12. All in all, Antetokounmpo’s shoulders bore a lot of weight in the game of bucks.
Celtics were most effective in lineups with two Big Men. Especially in the Defense they had advantages, because they knew how to keep the zone relatively tight with many switches. This is how Antetokounmpo should be stopped with its dangerous drives. It is clear that this is not entirely possible, but Boston managed to force the guests to throw too many throws from the middle distance, which are not known to be among the most efficient in the Baskteball.