Celtics Take Bragging Rights Over Bucks in Tight Series
That was a statement. The Boston Celtics, after dropping the first game of this three-game series against the Milwaukee Bucks back in early March, took the next two, including a gritty 118-115 win at TD Garden last night. It wasn't always pretty, but it was exactly the kind of high-stakes basketball we'll see come playoff time. Jayson Tatum, as he so often does, found another gear in the fourth quarter, dropping 14 of his game-high 38 points when it mattered most. That’s what superstars do.
Milwaukee had their chances, for sure. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, dragging his team back into it repeatedly. He even hit a ridiculous step-back three with 45 seconds left to cut the lead to two. But the Bucks just couldn't get that final stop. Jrue Holiday, who had been excellent defensively all night, missed a contested jumper with 10 seconds left that would have tied it. Those are the margins in these big games.
Tatum's Late-Game Heroics and Boston's Defensive Adjustments
Look, the first game of this series, a 128-110 Bucks win, felt like a wake-up call for Boston. Milwaukee just ran them off the floor, particularly in transition. Antetokounmpo had 20 points in the paint alone in that one. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla clearly made some adjustments after that. In the subsequent two games, Boston focused on slowing the pace and getting back on defense. They weren't letting the Bucks turn misses into easy dunks.
Last night, the Celtics forced Milwaukee into 16 turnovers, leading to 22 points. That's a huge swing. Derrick White, who quietly had 18 points and 6 assists, was a menace on the perimeter, picking up two crucial steals in the third quarter that led to fast-break opportunities. And Robert Williams III, playing limited minutes off the bench, still managed 3 blocks, altering at least five other shots at the rim. His presence, even for short bursts, changes the Bucks' attack.
Thing is, the Bucks' offense often looks unstoppable when Antetokounmpo gets downhill. But when Boston packs the paint, forcing him to kick out, the Bucks' three-point shooting can be inconsistent. Last night, they shot just 10-for-33 from deep, a paltry 30.3%. Malik Beasley, usually a reliable shooter, went 2-for-8 from long range. That's just not going to cut it against a team like the Celtics.
Giannis Carries, Lillard Struggles to Find Rhythm
For Milwaukee, it felt like Antetokounmpo was doing everything. He was scoring, rebounding, help, and even trying to guard Tatum on the other end. He just looked exhausted by the final buzzer. Damian Lillard, on the other hand, had a tough night, finishing with 22 points on 8-for-21 shooting. He struggled to create separation against White and Holiday, and his usually reliable pull-up jumper wasn't falling.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers tried to get Lillard going with more pick-and-roll action in the second half, but Boston’s bigs, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, did a good job of hedging hard and recovering. Porzingis, despite only scoring 14 points, had a massive impact with his interior defense and timely offensive rebounds. He grabbed 4 offensive boards, extending possessions that led to crucial baskets for Boston.
Here's my hot take: Lillard needs to be more assertive earlier in these games against top-tier defenses. He tends to defer to Antetokounmpo, which is understandable, but sometimes it feels like he's waiting too long to impose himself. They need both their stars firing to beat the Celtics, especially on the road.
What This Means for the Eastern Conference Race
This 2-1 series advantage gives Boston the tie-breaker over Milwaukee, which could be massive for playoff seeding. The Celtics now sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 55-18 record, three games clear of the Bucks at 52-21. Home-court advantage through the playoffs is a real prize, and Boston just took a significant step towards securing it.
For Milwaukee, it's a reminder that they still have work to do. They've shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in that first game, but they haven't consistently put together 48 minutes of dominant basketball against the league's elite. They need to figure out how to get Lillard more involved and efficient against stingy defenses. And their bench, which contributed only 18 points last night, needs to provide more consistent scoring punch.
Both teams have some tough matchups coming up. The Celtics head out on a three-game road trip, starting with a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, another potential playoff opponent. The Bucks, meanwhile, host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, a team they've struggled with this season. These next few weeks will be crucial in solidifying their positions.
Bold Prediction: Despite this loss, the Bucks will make a significant trade deadline acquisition next season to bolster their perimeter defense and shooting, setting up another epic clash with Boston in the 2027 Eastern Conference Finals.