Everything you need to know about the Bucks’ 116-92 win over the Celtics in quickie form.
Box Score
HEADLINES
First quarter disaster: The Bucks picked up their defensive intensity from the opening tip on Friday night and it produced a nightmare first quarter for the Celtics. Boston shot 2-of-19 from the field and turned the ball over eight times, digging a 15-point, first-quarter hole for themselves. Terry Rozier was the main culprit of the early struggles (four first-quarter turnovers) while the C’s collectively settled for lots of jumpers as the Bucks' physicality pushed them away from the basket. The early hole was too big for the C’s to climb out of all night long against a motivated Milwaukee squad on their home floor.
Bucks find some unlikely help off the bench: The second unit has been a non-factor for much of the series for the Bucks, but injuries and some rotation changes gave the Bucks a different energy to their defense in Game 3. Matthew Dellavedova got some early action after Eric Bledsoe got into foul trouble, while Thon Maker saw big minutes in the place of an injured John Henson (back). Both reserves barely saw the floor in the first two games but provided some backbone to the Bucks' defense. Maker was a terrific rim protector (five blocks) with his 7-foot frame and also served as a capable stretch five (3-of-5 from 3-point range). Dellavedova picked up full court on Rozier throughout the first half and help goad him into five turnovers, while delaying the C’s getting into their offensive sets. With Jabari Parker (17 points) and Bledsoe (17 points) playing to their normal offensive levels, the Bucks looked like a formidable foe once more.
TURNING POINT
The Celtics started to make things interesting midway through the third quarter, cutting a 26-point lead down to 14 behind some hot shooting from Jayson Tatum and Al Horford. However, a foolish Aron Baynes foul on a Maker 3-point attempt combined with a couple of timely jumpers by Khris Middleton fueled a 6-0 Bucks run that buried any comeback hope for Boston heading into the fourth quarter.
TWO UP
Jayson Tatum: The rookie shook off a rough first half to give the Celtics’ offense some signs of life in the third quarter. He scored eight of his team-high 16 points in the frame, attacking the rim with force. It didn’t matter much for this game with the C’s facing such a sizable deficit, but they’re going to need him to keep punishing the Bucks when bigs are switched onto him.
Aron Baynes: The center made a pair of 3-point shots, including one from above the break. Months and months of missed 3s have started to pay off after he missed the first 13 attempts of his season. He continues to do great work contesting at the rim and holding his own in switches.
TWO DOWN
Marcus Morris: The veteran forward played out of his mind in Game 2, so he was due for some regression. We saw plenty of it in Game 3. Lots of contested long jumpers and turnovers produced a team-worst minus-20. He scored just eight points on 2-of-8 shooting and coughed up four turnovers.
Greg Monroe: The big man was a victim of an unfriendly whistle at times but he really needs to take advantage of his easy looks around the basket more. Monroe posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds (five offensive) but he was 4-of-12 from the field despite all of his attempts coming in the paint. A lackluster performance at the free throw line (5-of-8) and a team-high five turnovers helped dig the C’s a major hole in the first half.
TOP PLAY
Jaylen to the rim! pic.twitter.com/bEiTrMttt7
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 21, 2018