Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks : They say that a playoff series doesn't truly begin until a road team wins a game. Well if that's the case, then the second-round series between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks is underway.
Coming out with an impressive defensive game plan, the No. 4 Celtics frustrated the top-ranked Bucks all afternoon long, before pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 112-90 victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
Al Horford was tremendous, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks, while also shutting down potential MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on the defensive end. The Greek Freak couldn't get anything going, as his drives to the basket were shut off on a consistent basis. He finished with 22 points, but needed 21 shots to get them.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving finished with 26 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in another stellar postseason performance. The Celtics also got strong games off the bench from Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier, who combined for 22 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
The surprising blowout win for the Celtics sets up a vital Game 2 on Tuesday night. Already down 1-0, the Bucks cannot afford another loss to open up this series.
Here are some takeaways from a stunning Game 1:
MILWAUKEE -- The Boston Celtics claimed a huge 112-90 victory in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, stealing home-court advantage and putting the Bucks on their heels from the start of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup.
Here are 10 takeaways.
1. The Celtics are a jump-shooting team being invited to take jumpers.
Milwaukee’s defense invites teams to shoot jumpers against them -- the Bucks want you to stay away from the rim, the free-throw line and the corner. That’s a solid defensive strategy with one major problem against the Celtics: Boston is fine with taking above-the-break and mid-range jumpers. Kyrie Irving thrives on those shots. Al Horford doesn’t miss often when he’s open. Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown killed rallies in those areas.
The Boston Celtics were one of the most disappointing teams in the regular season, finishing fourth in the East despite being projected as the top team and a potential challenger to the Golden State Warriors. But so far in the playoffs, they've looked much more like the squad they were expected to be, and that continued with a 22-point win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of their second-round series.
With Al Horford leading the way, their defensive game plan shut down potential MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, holding him to just 22 points on 7-of-21 from the field. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving showed why the Celtics were so eager to acquire him, putting up 26 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists in a masterful performance.
Now, the Bucks will need a major bounce-back game on Tuesday night in order avoid a 2-0 deficit, which would be tough to come back from.
Coming out with an impressive defensive game plan, the No. 4 Celtics frustrated the top-ranked Bucks all afternoon long, before pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 112-90 victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
Al Horford was tremendous, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks, while also shutting down potential MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on the defensive end. The Greek Freak couldn't get anything going, as his drives to the basket were shut off on a consistent basis. He finished with 22 points, but needed 21 shots to get them.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving finished with 26 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in another stellar postseason performance. The Celtics also got strong games off the bench from Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier, who combined for 22 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
The surprising blowout win for the Celtics sets up a vital Game 2 on Tuesday night. Already down 1-0, the Bucks cannot afford another loss to open up this series.
Here are some takeaways from a stunning Game 1:
MILWAUKEE -- The Boston Celtics claimed a huge 112-90 victory in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, stealing home-court advantage and putting the Bucks on their heels from the start of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup.
Here are 10 takeaways.
1. The Celtics are a jump-shooting team being invited to take jumpers.
Milwaukee’s defense invites teams to shoot jumpers against them -- the Bucks want you to stay away from the rim, the free-throw line and the corner. That’s a solid defensive strategy with one major problem against the Celtics: Boston is fine with taking above-the-break and mid-range jumpers. Kyrie Irving thrives on those shots. Al Horford doesn’t miss often when he’s open. Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown killed rallies in those areas.
The Boston Celtics were one of the most disappointing teams in the regular season, finishing fourth in the East despite being projected as the top team and a potential challenger to the Golden State Warriors. But so far in the playoffs, they've looked much more like the squad they were expected to be, and that continued with a 22-point win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of their second-round series.
With Al Horford leading the way, their defensive game plan shut down potential MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, holding him to just 22 points on 7-of-21 from the field. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving showed why the Celtics were so eager to acquire him, putting up 26 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists in a masterful performance.
Now, the Bucks will need a major bounce-back game on Tuesday night in order avoid a 2-0 deficit, which would be tough to come back from.
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