Final: Bucks 116, Celtics 92 - A 23-point halftime deficit leads to 2-1 series

MILWAUKEE -- The Bucks have made it a series.

The hosts rode strong defense and a miserable shooting first half by the Celtics for a full four quarters on their way to a 116-92 win. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 23 points, leading a well-balanced scoring attack that featured five Bucks scoring in double figures. Thon Maker played his first meaningful minutes of the series and was a huge spark with 14 points and five blocks off the bench.

Al Horford had a team-high 16 points for the C's in the setback. Much more to come from Milwaukee...

WHO: Celtics (2-0) vs. Bucks (0-2)
WHEN: 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Bradley Center
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub
TV: NBC Sports Boston, ESPN

Celtics
PG: Terry Rozier
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Al Horford
C: Aron Baynes

Bucks
PG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: Malcolm Brogdon
F: Khris Middleton
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Tyler Zeller

Pregame Reading:

5 adjustments to watch for in Game 3 of Celtics-Bucks

Jabari Parker wants to play more; why the Celtics should hope he gets that chance

How the Celtics keep beating the Bucks up on the glass

Third Quarter Notes

• Celtics finally break out of their offensive funk with some big quarters from Horford, Tatum and Rozier. Each scored nine or more points as the C's posted 32 points.


• The problem for Boston came on the defensive end, as the Bucks stayed in rhythm. Habari Parker served as a 2-3 zone buster midway through the frame, scoring from inside and out when the C's defense was overextended.


• With Middleton and Giannis continuing to get their steady diet of points, the Bucks just managed to keep pace with the C's revival. Boston cut the deficit down to 14 at one point, but the Bucks pushed it back up to 20 by the end of the frame.

• Thon Maker getting an opportunity in this series may end up the series changing moment in this matchup if the Bucks end up coming back. He's given the Bucks much better defensive versatility with his length and speed for a seven-footer. He piled up five blocks in the first half, as Milwaukee tallied 11 as a team vs. 12 C's field goals.


• Curious decision by Brad Stevens to rest Al Horford for nearly half the first half (only played 13 minutes). Horford was getting bodied/beaten up a ton in the post without much in the way of foul calls. I wonder if Stevens wants to protect him a bit looking ahead to Friday.


• Brad Stevens rolls with an unorthodox front line of Baynes/Monroe at the end the of second quarter without much success. Bucks got going on some kickouts at the 3-point line with the C's lacking their usual speed on closeouts. Bucks were 7-of-13 from downtown.


• 13 total turnovers for the C's in the first half on 30 percent shooting. A true nightmare game for Terry Rozier who is 0-of-4 with five turnovers. Marcus Morris has been horrid as well. with four misses and three turnovers.


• Bucks supporting cast finally gave Giannis and Middleton some help in the second quarter as eight of nine players have scored. Jason Terry and Shabazz Muhammad have been relegated to the bench, giving the Bucks a stronger consistent defensive presence for the entire first half.

• A bit of an uneven start for both teams. Bucks come out with lots of energy but can't get going on offense for first couple minutes.


• C's offense very stagnant early with a lot of settling. They opened the game with seven of their first 10 shots coming from 3-point range. They went 1-of-7 on those, with the culprits being Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown


• Bucks came out very physical but they piled up fouls early, putting themseves into the penalty with nine minutes left. Bledsoe took a seat with a couple fouls early. Matthew Dellavedova provided a spark instantly with his defensive pressure, triggering a 10-0 run with his insertion into the game.


• Giannis and Middle combined for 12 of first 14 points for the Bucks. Middleton continues to feast on the C's in mismatches.


• Six turnovers for the Celtics in the first nine minutes of the game after just seven in Game 2. Rozier has been the main culprit, as Matthew Dellavedova's defensive intensity has helped him pile up four.


• Only source of offense early has been the free throw line (6-of-9). C's begin 2-of-14 from the field with six turnovers.


• C's finish the quarter with 2/19 shooting and nine turnovers. Entire bench was 0-of-7 from field.

• John Henson is out due to a back injury. He played 74 minutes in total over the first two games of the series at center. Tyler Zeller will play in his place.


• The Bucks will be playing their final games at the Bradley Center this postseason before a new arena opens in Milwaukee next summer.


• Terry Rozier refused to take the bait from Eric Bledsoe after the Buck refused to acknowledge him after a strong start to the series. "He can't motivate me," Rozier said. "He don't motivate me at all. Even the negative stuff when you turn on ESPN, they wasn't motivating me before the playoffs started. I already motivated myself, so they were too late. And I'm pretty sure we all had the same mindset."


• While the big man will get plenty of attention in Milwaukee tonight, Greg Monroe holds no bad blood towards his former team after they traded earlier this season. "Y'all keep asking me that. You know how many people are playing their old teams? It's really really not a big deal. I know you guys want it to be, but it's the playoffs. I'm pretty sure that no matter who anyone is playing at this point, they want to win. It don't matter. It's no more incentive. Either you win or go home. It doesn't matter if I'm playing another team I've never played for. We lose the series, we go home. That's just how it is. We want to win the series. We want to win every game."