MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo found his MVP form in Game 6, posting a game-high 31 points and 14 rebounds as the Bucks forced a Game 7 against the Celtics with a 97-86 win at the Bradley Center.
Much more to come from Milwaukee...
WHO: Celtics (3-2) vs. Bucks (2-3)
WHEN: 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Bradley Center
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub
TV: TNT, NBC Sports Boston
Celtics
PG: Terry Rozier
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Semi Ojeleye
C: Al Horford
Bucks
PG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: Malcolm Brogdon
F: Khris Middleton
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Tyler Zeller
Second Quarter Notes
- 7-2 run by the Celtics over first three minutes
- Smart forces offensive foul on Middleton and then creates a turnover in the corner. He’s been everywhere for second straight game.
- Larkin still finds himself on Middleton in mismatches way too much.
- Nice pick-and-pop 3 for Horford to open the quarter after a lengthy rest at end of first.
- Celtics go back to starters midway through the quarter and the offense stalls a bit again. Some decent looks from 3 that aren’t falling and that’s giving the Bucks some transition chances.
- C’s offense hit the skids with five minutes remaining in the frame, as Bucks opened up a 14-2 run to turn a three-point deficit into a nine-point halftime lead.
- Antetokounmpo got things going with nine points in the frame, while transition points were the real killer as Bucks outscored C’s 18-0 on the break in the first half.
- C’s are shooting just 37.5 percent from field at the break and with limited free throws (three) and no second chance points, that’s not going to be enough to get it done on the road.
- Had a Greg Monroe sighting midway through the quarter
- Just three field goal attempts for Jaylen Brown in the first half and two points. He’s averaged a team-high 23 in the series.
First Quarter Notes
- Celtics target Malcolm Brogdon in the post early with Jaylen Brown for an easy bucket.
- Outside of that first possession, very little ball movement early for the C’s. It’s result in three low percentage looks late in the shot clock as Bucks clamp down with their individual defense.
- Nice early block by Semi Ojeleye
- Stevens calls an early timeout after the ugly possessions and the Celtics immediately respond with great ball movement and post mismatches over the next few minutes, opening up a 8-0 run.
- Tatum has been front and center within the offense early, making some good drive-and-kick decisions while running some pick-and-roll.
- Giannis gets deep against Morris makes a turnaround.
- Rozier very aggressive finding his shot early. He knocked down three 3s in the first quarter after hitting that many combined in Games 3 and 4 in Milwaukee. He had a game-high 11 in the first quarter.
- C’s got a little too jump shot happy late in the quarter, relied on contested pullups instead of wide open looks based off of ball movement. That opened the door for Bucks to end quarter on a 7-0 run after Celtics opened up seven point lead.
- Only two points for Giannis in second quarter but bench unit has come out hot for Bucks (4-of-5 from field).
Pregame Notes
- Brad Stevens confirmed that Semi Ojeleye will get his second career start at power forward for Game 6 after helping to limit Giannis Antetokounmpo to a series-low 16 points in Game 5. Smart credited him for a terrific performance, calling him "an ox" at shootaround on Thursday morning.
- John Henson remains questionable with a back injury. He has missed the last three games with the ailment.
- Marcus Smart came out of Game 5 with no lingering thumb issues so he should see his minutes increase for Game 6. Stevens said he'd be able to up to 35 minutes of action in his second game back on the floor.
- Game 6 could be the final game ever played by the Bucks at the Bradley Center. The team plans on opening a new arena next season.