One game after watching the Bucks erupt with a 24-2 third-quarter run, the Celtics defense fell apart at the seams for the second straight game in the third period. Giannis Anteokounmpo scored a game-high 32 points to lead five different Bucks in double figures as the visitors turned in a 40-point third quarter to help take control of the game in a 123-116 victory. Kyrie Irving had a team-high 29 points for the Celtics to lead six different players in double figures but they could not keep pace on the offensive end with Milwaukee, who shot a scoring hot 64 percent from the field in the third quarter with 17 free throw attempts mixed in to build a double-digit lead that was maintained throughout the fourth quarter. Bench guards George Hill (21 points) and Pat Connaughton (14 points) proved to be key difference makers in the outburst as they helped the Bucks bench outscore the Celtics 41-16 in the victory. Jayson Tatum (20 points) and Jaylen Brown (18 points) chipped in with big efforts but the 18 turnovers led to 28 Bucks points, and the Celtics were crushed in the paint (52-24), giving the Bucks the 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven series.
Second Quarter Notes
- C’s offense really gets going even during the non-Kyrie minutes at the start of the second quarter.
- Bucks doing a great job of protecting the rim but Hayward being patient with his reads and finding the drive and kicks
- Celtics bench goes scoreless in their first 27 minutes (0-of-5 from field)
- Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris carrying the Celtics offense beyond the arc, going a combined 6-of-7 from downtown early
- C’s miscues have come back to hurt though ewith eight turnovers leading to 10 early Bucks points
- Connaughton shooting the lights off the bench for the Buck with 11 points.
- Tatum in his midrange groove, making all five of his field goal attempts from inside the arc.
- Kyrie goes scoreless in the second quarter while the Bucks bench is dominating the C’s 19-3 in the first half
- Hayward getting no separation from Bucks bigs ons switches and was blocked by Ilyasova to close out the half.
- C’s led by as many as 12 points but close out the first half with a 21-10 run.
- Kyrie and Giannis are the only two players to attempt free throws in the first half.
- C’s with just 12 points in the paint.
- Both teams come out with a ton of energy, with turnovers making up three of the first four possessions
- Celtics really playing with tremendous pace on their way to a 10-2 run to start, getting open early looks early in the shot clock
- Giannis coming out with some early aggression, with two strong takes to the rim. He’s not afraid of the moment early with five of Milwaukee’s first seven points
- Bledsoe looks like his old self, forcing things a little too much early. He has missed five of his first six shots
- After coming out red-hot, C’s have been very reliant on shooting 3s/jumpers with limited success after opening few minutes. They have missed 9-of-11 after their 10-2 to start the game
- Ojeleye getting his first chance of the series to guard Antetokounmpo, doing well early with drawing an offensive foul.
- Baynes matched up against Lopez in his brief few minutes
- Irving starts to take some control towards the end of the quarter, finishing the frame with 13 points including an ill-advised three-shot foul by the Bucks to close the frame while Giannis rests.
- Huge eight points by the local boy Connaughton off the bench for Milwaukee to keep Bucks close.
- Nightmare quarter for Bledsoe (2-of-8 from the field), he’s continued to be a net negative on the road in the playoffs for Milwaukee.
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Marcus Morris
C: Al Horford
- Malcolm Brogdon has been ruled out for Game 3 despite practicing for the past week-plus with the Bucks as he recovers from a foot injury.
- Marcus Smart is also out for Game 3 but could start practicing as soon as this weekend with contact in his efforts to return to the court after suffering a torn oblique last month.
- Semi Ojeleye deserves more of a chance against Giannis, Bucks