Final: Celtics 112, Bucks 90 -- C's take Game 1 with commanding win

Apr 28, 2019 • 10:06 am

MILWAUKEE -- The Celtics may be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference but they looked nothing like the underdogs on Sunday afternoon. Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and dished out 11 assists while Al Horford delivered a huge double-double (20 points, 11 rebounds) to lead the visitors to a commanding win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After blowing a 15-point first half lead, the Celtics took command yet again in the third quarter with a 32-9 run, frustrating Giannis Antetokounmpo (22 points on 7-of-21 FG) on their way to handing Milwaukee their worst home loss of the year.

Second Quarter Notes

Celtics continue to do a fantastic job containing Giannis in the halfcourt, limiting him to just one field goal while making him earn everything at the line when he gets close.

George Hill and Khris Middleton are the main pieces keeping the Bucks in he game early as offense is hard to fine from the rest of the starting five.

Hayward has been sensational picking on the Bucks dropping coverage on handoffs and curls, making his first four shots while dishing out a pair of assists.

C's push their lead out to 15 with Horford/Irving resting thanks to a pair of 3s from Rozier and Baynes. Almost everything the Celtics are getting in the halfcourt has been open.

Irving with three early turnovers with a couple of errant passes and an offensive foul.

A 15-0 run with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the bench could serve as a turning point in this series to erase a C's team that was firmly in control over the opening 17 minutes of this game. Timely outside shooting from the likes of Mirotic proved to be the difference.

First Quarter Notes

Both teams expectedly come out flat shooting the ball, combining for 25 percent shooting in the first five minutes.

Marcus Morris gets the start at power forward and has held up well defensively against Giannis in a couple of different stints.

Middleton and Bledsoe are not shy about getting into their pullup 3s. Both have fired four attempts in the opening five minutes.

Horford getting the vast majority of open looks for the C's on the pick-and-pop but he's only 1-of-4 early.

After a couple of early turnovers from Kyrie, Celtics getting pretty much all good looks on the offensive end. Irving starting to do some good work in the post and on isos (eight points) while Gordon Hayward has helped to get into the teeth of the Bucks defense when Lopez is out.