The Boston Celtics secured another important victory, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 113-107 on Sunday at the Fiserv Forum, improving their record to 9-2 for the season. Conversely, the Bucks find themselves struggling at 2-8 after the loss, raising questions about their early performance this year.
The Celtics, facing a familiar slow start, found themselves down 16-2 early in the game, reminiscent of their previous matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. The Bucks capitalized on this momentum in the first half, shooting an impressive 58.1% from the field and scoring 69 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated early on, contributing 27 points before halftime. However, the Celtics remained competitive thanks largely to Payton Pritchard’s 17-point first half, keeping them within reach.
In the second half, Boston shifted gears, showcasing their defensive prowess. The game grew more physical as Jaylen Brown and Antetokounmpo exchanged elbows, culminating in a flagrant foul call against Brown in the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, the Celtics managed to outscore the Bucks significantly after halftime, where the Bucks mustered only 38 points compared to their first-half output.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points and 12 rebounds but struggled with his shooting, hitting only 7 of 21 attempts. However, he proved valuable at the free throw line, sinking 13 of 15 shots. Both Derrick White and Jrue Holiday contributed 15 points, while Antetokounmpo delivered an impressive performance with 43 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks.
The Celtics will now prepare for an NBA Cup game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday at TD Garden.
Key takeaways from this victory include:
1. Defensive Resilience: The Celtics proved their ability to withstand early scoring runs from opponents. Their strong defensive effort in the second half was critical to their comeback.
2. Brown’s Return: After a four-game absence due to injury, Jaylen Brown returned to the court, contributing 14 points and playing a key role in crunch time despite a somewhat inefficient shooting performance.
3. Pritchard’s Spark: Payton Pritchard continues to be a difference-maker against the Bucks, showcasing his scoring ability and making significant contributions in critical moments.
4. Depth and Rotation: With the return of most players, the Celtics adapted their rotation effectively. Neemias Queta’s emergence as a reliable bench player, even without Kristaps Porzingis, speaks volumes about the team’s depth.
Overall, the Celtics’ ability to claw back from a deficit and enhance their defensive play highlights the team’s resilience. As they aim to maintain their winning momentum, the Celtics demonstrate a promising outlook for the rest of the season.