Everything you need to know about the Celtics’ 92-87 win over the Bucks in quickie form.
Box Score
HEADLINES
Defense leads to a win: The Bucks have been an offensive juggernaut through the first four games of the series, but the C’s finally got them off track in Game 5. They limited the Bucks to 36.8 percent shooting from the field as Giannis Antetokounmpo (16 points) and Khris Middleton (23 points) were limited to subpar scoring nights. The Celtics had their own struggles on the offensive end (42 percent shooting) but they rode the offense of Al Horford (22 points, 14 rebounds) and an edge at the free throw line (32 attempts) to grind out the win and a 3-2 series lead over Milwaukee.
Semi Ojeleye makes most of first career start: The rookie had to wait until the postseason for his first career start, but Brad Stevens liked enough of what he saw from versatile forward in the second half of Game 4 to give him the nod over Aron Baynes in Game 5. Ojeleye spent the majority of his night guarding Antetokounmpo and did a tremendous job of limiting him to a series-low 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting thanks to his strength and speed.
Marcus Smart provides crucial energy in return from thumb injury: The fourth-year guard made a triumphant return to the lineup after missing the last five weeks recovering from a torn thumb tendon. He was a little too loose with the ball (five turnovers) but was everywhere on the defensive end, piling up three blocks, a steal and countless other key contests throughout the evening. He also had a crucial hand in slowing down Middleton who finally showed signs of coming back to earth after a huge first four games.
TURNING POINT
The Celtics struggled all fourth quarter long to score, which allowed the Bucks to trim their lead down to four on multiple occasions. However, the C’s closing unit was built on defense as Ojeleye and Smart saw considerable action in the closing minutes, which enabled Boston to hold the Bucks to just two points in one three-minute stretch at the end of the fourth quarter, which allowed the C’s to build enough of a cushion for the win.
TWO UP
Al Horford: The All-Star was shifted to the center spot with Ojeleye in the starting five and that put a lot of pressure on him to clean up the glass. He took that responsibility to heart, posting a season-high 14 rebounds as he posted his second double-double of the series. With Ojeleye helping out on the defensive end with Antetokounmpo responsibilities, Horford was able to turn into a bigger offensive contributor with his highest scoring output since Game 1.
Marcus Smart: The point guard wasted no time to make his presence felt during his first action in six weeks. He grabbed a loose ball for a steal, blocked a Giannis lob and managed to finish a layup after getting fouled within the first three minutes of his night. The active energy was contagious for the Celtics on the defensive end, as Smart set the tone by getting into the Bucks airspace all night long. He stuffed the box score with nine points, five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal in 20 minutes.
TWO DOWN
Greg Monroe: Ojeleye’s insertion into the starting five sent Baynes to the bench. There wasn’t room for both Baynes and Monroe in the rotation against an athletic Bucks team that likes to stretch the floor with shooters, so Monroe was the odd man out for Game 5. His struggles on the defensive end, along with his constant turnovers in the post (28 percent turnover rate) made him a player that was hurting more than he was helping the C’s for the past couple games.
Bucks not named Giannis or Khris in the first half: The Bucks supporting cast reverted to their Game 1 and 2 games once again in the less friendly confines of the TD Garden. Eight different Bucks scored a combined 15 points in the first half on 24 percent shooting from the field (6-of-25), as the C’s used their versatile lineups to contest well on jumpers and drives. The lackluster contributions helped the Celtics build a double-digit lead at halftime.
TOP PLAY
Welcome back, Marcus! pic.twitter.com/gzsu00QB7U
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 24, 2018