Final: Celtics 119, Bucks 108 - Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard power late C's surge

BOSTON CELTICS vs. MILWAUKEE BUCKS

TD Garden, 7:30 p.m. - NBCS Boston, NBA TV

Line: Boston -8.5

INJURIES

Boston: Kristaps Porzingis (OUT, ankle), Sam Hauser (OUT, back)

Milwaukee: Khris Middleton (OUT, ankle), 

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. The early punch: The Bucks have lost two straight against bad teams and are struggling to find themselves in the early going. This makes me think they will want to make a statement against the Celtics and throw a huge first punch. So either (a) they do and Boston has to absorb it and fire one back. Or (b) they won’t and Boston is the team that punches first. 

2. Attacking Brook Lopez: This might be the game we see them break the 3-point record. Lopez is going to drop all night long and Boston is going to take advantage of that. I expect a LOT of high pick-and-roll with Tatum and other shooters to step into good looks. The Bucks defense is not good right now (and may not be at all this season) so the Celtics can get a lot of good looks. Also, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lopez as rim protectors, I don’t see much in the paint tonight for Boston.

3. Protect the paint: Boston has gotten crushed in the paint in all three games this season and Antetokounmpo loves to get to the rim. Let’s see if the C’s can build that wall and at least minimize some of the damage. I don’t think they’ll win the points in the paint, but I’d love it if they didn’t get destroyed there.

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.