Final: Bucks 123, Celtics 102 -- Massive third quarter run sinks Celtics

MILWAUKEE -- The Celtics played the first five games of the postseason with few appearances from their regular season demons. That changed in a hurry in Milwaukee on Wednesday night as the Bucks erupted for a 34-4 run midway through the second half to quickly turn a tight game into a commanding win for the hosts. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 29 points thanks to 18 free throw attempts while Khris Middleton was lights out from beyond the arc, going 7-of-10 from 3-point range in the double-digit win.

The Celtics meanwhile saw their offense fall apart in the second half, largely thanks to the struggles of Kyrie Irving who managed just nine points on 4-of-18 shooting in perhaps his worst postseason performance of his career. Marcus Morris led the Celtics with 17 to help the visitors keep pace with Milwaukee for the first 2.5 quarters before the Bucks went on their huge run.

The series is now tied at 1-1 with a two-day break before heading back to the TD Garden on Friday night for a primetime showdown.

Second Quarter Notes

• Bucks 3-point shooting barrage finds some rhythm in the frame, with Middleton going nuts in the frame with 11 of his game-high 20 points.


• Middleton with eight points himself, finally getting some separation in the paint after going without a field goal in the first 14 minutes of the game.


• Bucks shot 11/26 from 3 in the first half, knocking 42.3 percent from downtown. They are on pace for a franchise best 22 3-pointers in the game.


• Kyrie Irving with just a miserable offensive night early on, starting 0-of-8 before finishing half 2-of-12. Everyone else is carrying their weight for the C's on offense so C's need a big half out of him.


• Tatum limited to just 13 first half minutes after picking up three fouls. His defense will be needed in the second half, since he helped to keep Middleton under control early


• Just 17 minutes for Horford in the first half. Stevens will need to bump that up if he wants to take this must-win game for Bucks.

• Bucks come out very shaky on the offensive end, with three turnovers and a bunch of wild shots in the opening few minutes.


• Budenholtzer makes an earlier adjustment by starting Mirotic in place of Sterling Brown in order to add some extra shooting. However, the alignment doesn't last long after he picks up two quick fouls while trying to mark Jaylen Brown on the wing.


• Kyrie Irving with a very rough start shooting the ball, missing his first five shots, several of which coming in traffic.


• Marcus Morris and Al Horford staying consistent from the perimeter by making five of their first six shots.


• Giannis doesn't make a field goal in he first nine minutes but he's already gottten to free throw line eight times in the first quarter. Most of the calls have been borderline but both teams are getting a friendly whistle early on offense.


• Bledsoe remains a puddle on offense. He's driving into the paint without a plan and C's are making life tough for him at the rim.


• Brook Lopez and Middleton with a couple 3s to keep Bucks in the game early.


• Celtics close out the quarter with an 8-2 run to take five-point lead behind some solid play from Rozier and great passing from Rozier and Tatum.

• Kyrie Irving is a problem the Bucks may not be able to solve


• Jaylen Brown is turning back into an offensive juggernaut


• The window of opportunity is open for Celtics to seize command in Game 2


• Game 2 Notebook: Marcus Smart timeline unclear until he practices, Baynes (ankle) plans to play


• Aron Baynes has been cleared to play for the Celtics after suffering a sprained ankle in Game 1. Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart remain out for Game 2.