Game 2 of the Celtics-Bucks series was the diametric opposite of the first. This time the local stars were up to the task, this time the fantastic Bostonian defense worked to the letter and this time the triples did enter, and in what way!
A top-level defensive display by the Celtics to overwhelm Milwaukee in the first half (65-40) and leave the game virtually doomed until they won 109-86 and made it 1-1 in the tie.
The initial 18-3 was already an indication of what was to come. Celestial first half of the team Ime Udokadefending at an exceptional level, making life bitter for Giannis Antetokounmpomoving the ball in exemplary fashion and tearing the Bucks apart from 3-point range to going prodigious 13-for-20 from beyond the arc in the first two quarters.
The 65-40 at halftime was very eloquent of what had happened at the TD Garden, with a Jaylen Brown unleashed that he had 17 points in the first quarter and 25 in the first part with 9 of 10 in the field that included a perfect 5 of 5 from the triple.
The deep review the Celtics gave the Bucks in the first half became that much more pointed each time Udoka played with a single center on the court in the company of Grant Williamswho played a memorable game and who opened the field to create the necessary spaces to move the ball in luxury until he looked for the free shot.
Milwaukee conceded that 18-3 in the first 6 minutes of the game with 1 of 11 shooting by the team and Antetokounmpo started the game with a 1 of 10 to reach halftime with a 2 of 12 and only 5 points to his credit .
At halftime, 13 of 20 from the triple for Boston and 2 of 8 for Milwaukee, and here was one of the big keys: Celtics finished the game with 20 triples made, a record in franchise history in the playoffs, and the Bucks added a 3 of 18, being those 3 triples his worst figure in the last 15 postseasons he has played!
It was a battle between a perfectly coordinated team that at times left us with first-rate choreographies in defense and attack once morest a squad that was pulling individual impulses as best it might without any cohesion.
Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams, Jayson Tatum y Al Horford unbalanced Milwaukee in the first half, with Boston limiting their rotation to 7 players – he didn’t get into it Daniel Theis– and having a wonderful game playing without Marcus Smart.
Meanwhile, Bucks fell from grace without Khris Middleton following going 4-0 without him in these playoffs, winning all 4 games clearly.
The most that Milwaukee might do was to dignify its situation at times in the second half avoiding the debacle. They even got to 12 points (94-82) in the last quarter, but the truth is that Boston was ahead for the 48 minutes of the game and the final 109-86 reflects much better what the game was, a game in the one that Boston had in the second part its maximum advantage with 26 points.
Brown finished with 30 points, 6 assists and 6 triples, Tatum added 29 points, 8 assists and 5 shots from 3 and Grant Williams signed a wonderful performance. He was key in his team’s display with 21 points, a well-measured intensity, knowing how to always make the right play and nothing less than a series of 6 of 9 from the triple.
The Dominican Al Horford once once more shone at a high level with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in 37 minutes of play.
Milwaukee survived total disaster in the third quarter because Anteto revived in those moments scoring 18 points in the fourth.
The Greek finished the game with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, but once more he went to a low percentage facing the hoop, following making 11 of his 27 attempts. More than once he insisted on penetrating where he might not penetrate, being far from the clairvoyance of the first match when it came to distributing the game and stopping to think with the ball in his hands.
Jrue Holiday he put together 19 points and 7 assists, but with 7 of 20 shooting, although his defensive work on Brown in the second half was very good, Bobby Portiswho fouled Horford badly, had 13 points and 8 rebounds and Pat Connaughton added another 13 points.
Nonexistent Brook Lopez in attack and another 2 minutes of play without competitive tension to Serge Ibaka y Luca Vildoza.
Milwaukee leaves Boston with its homework done, keeping the home court factor, but the truth is that it leaves with the severe setback received in this second game.
