MILWAUKEE -- Everything you need to know about the Bucks’ 104-102 win over the Celtics in quickie form.
Box Score
HEADLINES
Impressive comeback slips away in final minute: Giannis Antetokounmpo finished off a 27-point performance with what ended up being a game-winning tip-in with five seconds remaining for the Bucks to put the hosts up two. Marcus Morris had a chance for the tie as time expired, but his turnaround fadeaway caught iron, putting a disappointing end to a superb turnaround by the Celtics in the second half, where they came back from a 20-point deficit in just over a quarter of action.
The Greek Freak wins it!!#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/gQXjPcTbvS
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 22, 2018
First-half disaster (again):
he Celtics dug themselves a huge hole in a road playoff contest. They shot just 30 percent from the field and 20 percent from 3-point range over the first 24 minutes, with no other player outside of Jaylen Brown scoring more than six points. A lack of ball movement (five assists) was the main cause for the paltry output yet again, as the C’s continuously drove into traffic without a plan. The Bucks took advantage by piling up the blocks (seven) and letting Boston misfire from distance (2-of-10).
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum play out of this world in second half:
The young duo put the Celtics on their back from an offensive standpoint as the C’s managed to erase a 20-point, second-half deficit midway through the fourth quarter. Brown posted a career-high 34 points, while Tatum added 18 of his 21 points in the second half to energize a lifeless Celtics offense in the first half to a 67-point output after the break.
TURNING POINT
The Bucks’ second unit changed the complexion of the game yet again when it entered midway through the first quarter. Jabari Parker, Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova sparked the Bucks to a 19-5 run as the group upped Milwaukee's physicality and intensity on both ends of the floor, erasing an early seven-point lead for the C’s. The outburst put Boston in catch-up mode for virtually the remainder of the game.
TWO UP
Jabari Parker:
The fourth-year forward has had an up-and-down series, but he delivered some of the best basketball of his pro career during the first half. Parker showed off his inside/outside game with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, but also made his presence felt on the defensive end with two steals and three blocks. It was an impressive turnaround from a miserable start to the series for the reserve in Boston.
Jaylen Brown:
The second-year guard kept the Celtics in the game in the first half with his relentless offense, scoring 11 of his 34 points in the second quarter while the rest of the offense was stalling. He continued to show some timely aggression throughout the second-half comeback, knocking down a trio of big 3s while making the right play on drive and kicks. He now has two of his four best offensive performances in this series.
Jaylen Brown sets a new career-high in style (34pts) ? pic.twitter.com/P9OJNMOW8C
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 22, 2018
TWO DOWN
Marcus Morris:
The veteran turned into a black hole during the first half, forcing up tough contested midrange shots and driving into the Bucks shot blockers without a plan. He scored 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting, and was a team-worst minus-19 in the first half.
Terry Rozier:
Role players can look like different players on the road in the postseason, and that’s been the case for the point guard in Milwaukee this weekend. Rozier continued his downward trend after a miserable Game 3, going 3-of-12 from the field and an ugly 2-of-10 from 3-point range. The turnovers were less of a problem (one) but the C’s need more offense out of him to keep pace against the dangerous Bucks' attack.
TOP PLAY
Jaylen’s heating up! ?? pic.twitter.com/FGKB6AUSVk
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 22, 2018
TWO TAKES B-ROBB WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The Celtics finally slowed the Bucks down by going small. Will they stick with it?
Making up a 20-point deficit in the final 18 minutes of the second half on the road is no easy feat, but Boston managed to accomplished that feat before stumbling in the final minute in Game 4. Brown and Tatum were the major reasons for the comeback on the offensive end, but Brad Stevens finally seemed to find the answer for Maker at center against the Bucks by staying small with Semi Ojeleye and Morris at the power forward spot throughout the second half. Greg Monroe did not see action after five minutes of playing time early, as the C’s re-committed to a fully versatile defensive lineup to contest shooters. The Bucks still played well overall (scoring 53 points in second half), but the halfcourt defense was terrific for the final 18 minutes of the game, leaving Stevens with a tough choice to make for Game 5.
The Celtics should go home feeling OK about themselves, despite two straight losses:
That second half consisted of a lot of tough shots by Tatum and Brown, but there was also plenty of encouraging signs for a team that was in danger of being blown out in two straight games. Morris and Rozier were duds and Monroe was a non-factor, but the C’s were still right there in the closing minutes of the contest, even with a couple bad breaks going against them. Their role players should perform better in the friendly confines of the TD Garden, and the looming return of Marcus Smart for Game 6 is a nice ace in the team’s back pocket.
