The Boston Celtics fell to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night by a final score of 121-119. This game was all Bucks for almost the entire duration, until the Celtics crawled back in the fourth quarter. The Bucks would secure the victory though with a big defensive stop in the final minutes.
For the Celtics this was not start they wanted, they came out with no energy, missing shots and being careless with the basketball. Although the Celtics after a 25 point deficit locked in, they were playing much better defense and almost getting anything they wanted in terms of scoring.
The Celtics fell short but an incredible effort by the Celtics to get back in this game against a great Bucks team.
In terms of scoring the Celtics had six players score in double figures. Leading the way for Boston was Jaylen Brown with 24 points on 10-16 shooting. Also scoring was Kemba Walker with 23 points on 9-18 shooting. Jayson Tatum added 18 points on 7-19 shooting, Daniel Theis had 10 points on 4-9 shooting. Theis missed a last second three, which would have been the game winner if it went in. Marcus Smart also had 12 points on 3-13 shooting.
As for the Celtics bench yet again not much production, Jeff Teague had 15 points on 5-7 shooting. This was all Bucks until the fourth quarter the Celtics in that fourth quarter the team they can be but seem to have difficulty doing that for all four quarters.
With this loss Boston drops to 21-23 on the season.
For the Bucks they came out swinging. They came out with fire and energy on both ends of the floor, scoring at will and protecting the rim on the defensive end. The Bucks were doing everything right in all three phases, scoring, great ball movement and defensive intensity.
Although the Bucks almost lost this one, they stayed poised and showed the NBA why they are in the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
The Bucks scored in all bunches as six players scored in double figures. Leading the way for the Bucks was Kris Middleton with 27 points on 11-20 shooting, Also scoring was Giannis Antetokonmpo with 13 points on 4-11 shooting. Brook Lopez Chipped in with 17 points on 7-14 shooting, Jrue Holiday had 13 points on 6-16 shooting, Donte Divincecenzo had 17 points on 5-7 shooting.
For the Bucks bench not much production, as the Celtics had, as Bobby Portis had 21 points on 7-10 shooting. With this win the Bucks improve to 29-14 on the season.
Takeaways/Final thoughts
- The Celtics need to play with urgency
- The Celtics need to play good basketball for all four quarters
- Jeff Teague continues to play well
- It was great execution on the final shot
- The Celtics need to be physical on the defensive end
- The Celtics defended Giannis well
Boston will take on Milwaukee again on Friday at 7:30 PM EST, looking to rebound from Wednesday’s loss.