December 19, 2024
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What Was Evident During the Bucks vs. Celtics Final Frame Rally

sahulrao08 mins
celtics vs bucks

The Bucks almost overcame a 21-point hole on Wednesday night at TD Garden, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo not playing. The crunch-time reps are essential even though the way it transpired wasn’t ideal.

Jaylen Brown, who was previously deemed doubtful due to a right ankle strain, was cleared to suit up for the Milwaukee Bucks’ Wednesday game against the Boston Celtics, even though the team was without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Nevertheless, former Buck Jrue Holiday and Sam Hauser were not there for the hosts of this match at TD Garden. Before the game, though, the six-foot-eight sniper worked out on the court. His comeback is imminent.

With a 10-game margin separating them, Jayson Tatum got right to work, scoring ten points in the opening five minutes of this Eastern Conference matchup between the top two teams.

The Celtics gained a double-digit lead thanks to that, their ability to guard the paint, and smart substitutions that helped slow down Milwaukee when they got off to a quick lead from beyond the arc.

The former Colorado Buffalo led all players in both scoring and assists at the end of the first quarter with 11 points. With ten points, which was the second-highest total in the first twelve minutes, Tatum helped Boston lead 33–28 going into the second quarter.

Dick Lipe of NBC Sports Boston reports that the C’s have scored at least 30 points in the first quarter in at least 15 of the last 16 games.

Payton Pritchard was the second frame’s narrative.

The fourth-year guard played with Danilo Gallinari before sinking a three-pointer from the right corner, as he made 4/5 of his attempts in the quarter.

 

Along with playing significant on-ball and team defense, he also applied pressure and made smart changes to neutralize the Bucks’ possible advantages.

13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists were Pritchard’s stats going into the half.

Along with forcing nine turnovers, turning them into 11 points, and only giving up three baskets, Boston may also be credited with their 69-56 halftime advantage.

At the intermission, Tatum had scored 23 points on 8/13 shooting, including 4/5 from beyond the arc.

In the opening twenty-four minutes, Lillard and Khris Middleton led the visiting team with 13 points apiece.

The Celtics continued to exploit a disjointed Milwaukee defense in the third quarter, particularly when they increased the pick-and-pop game to capitalize on drop coverage that opened up the screener for three-pointers.

Jaylen Brown was also mercilessly attacking the defense of the visitors, even taking down Middleton on a baseline drive to the basket.

In the midst of all of that, Tatum played 7:05 but made no move to score the basket, choosing instead to push the issue. Even though it is extreme, it shows how unselfish he is and how eager he is to always make the correct decision, regardless of the circumstances.

With his teammates making 5/10 threes, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, and scoring 32 points, Boston led 101-83 going into the final 12 minutes, despite the former Duke Blue Devil not contributing to the score.

If the referees had decided in favor of White, the former Florida Gator would have gone to the line with a chance to put his side ahead by 16 with less than 6:30 remaining. White’s triple followed another apparent old-school three-point play, this time for Al Horford, but was wiped out by a mild offensive foul.

Rather, Lillard made a three-pointer that contained the visitors inside 10 points. An underperforming offense needed White to respond to his make with one on the other end.

Even worse, with 3:05 left, the Bucks were within six points, 110-104, after a technical foul on Tatum and Brown ended their possession at the stripe at 0/2.

After a layup from the left side of the cylinder by Bobby Portis, the margin was trimmed to 110-107 with 2:56 remaining. However, Tatum’s two free throws and a drive to the hoop by him increased Boston’s lead to 114-107 with 1:38 remaining.

With 1:12 remaining, Porzingis firmly put the hosts up 116-109 with a two-handed flush after the star wing of the Celtics missed a one-legged fadeaway.

 

With Antetokounmpo out of the picture, it seems like there may be sufficient cushion to get the C’s across the finish line. But with 32 seconds left, Portis finished through contact to give the Bucks an opportunity to close the gap following another three from Lillard and an unsuccessful layup attempt by White.

Still, he was unable to profit. On the other hand, Brown found atonement when he made both of his free throws on his most recent opportunity to walk to the line under duress.

 

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