In our poll before the No. 2 seed Celtics faced the No. 3 seed Bucks in the East’s second round, 62.87% of our respondents predicted Boston to emerge victorious in the series.
Through three games, Milwaukee holds a 2-1 lead in a hotly contested matchup. The first two games were both fairly lopsided, with the Bucks putting on a defensive clinic in Game 1’s 101-89 win, followed by the Celtics making key adjustments in a blowout 109-86 victory in Game 2, holding Milwaukee to just 3-of-18 on three-pointers.
Game 3 had some controversy, as both sides were unhappy with the officiating. The Bucks ultimately emerged victorious by a score of 103-101 after the Celtics missed three put-back attempts in the closing seconds.
Reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the best player in the series to this point, averaging 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal and 1.7 blocks in 38.1 minutes per contest, although he’s struggled with shooting percentages (.439/.167/.625). In the absence of Khris Middleton, who will miss at least Game 4 (and possibly the rest of the series), Antetokounmpo is carrying a heavy load and will have to continue to play at an extremely high level to triumph over Boston’s top-ranked defense.
For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown (23 points, 9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals on .489/.417/.867 shooting) and Al Horford (15 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks on .459/.429/1.000 shooting) have both been fantastic. However, the team needs more from star Jayson Tatum, who shot just 6-of-18 from the field in Game 1 and 4-of-19 in Game 3, sporting an overall slash line of 20 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2 steals and 1.7 blocks on .351/.360/.688 shooting.
Wesley Matthews has done a great job shadowing Tatum and making him uncomfortable, but Tatum is 11 years younger (24 vs. 35) and four inches taller (6’8″ vs. 6’4″) than Matthews, so he should still be able to get his shot off. Of course, if he drives to the paint, Antetokounmpo and/or Brook Lopez will be waiting for him, so that makes things more complicated.
Who will Monday’s crucial Game 4? Will it be another nail-biter? We want to know what you think. Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts on Celtics/Bucks!
Bucks
They have figured out how to slow down Celtics to a crawl, which better suits the Bucks.
Agree, all the hype was on how good Bostons D was and not the challenge that Mil D was going to give them coming off a turnstile D in Brk.
It must have been a culture shock that probably lead to a Mil game 1 win
2 best teams left in the league IMO
I have the winner taking the whole thing
The Celtics played like crap in game 3 and still almost won. They will take game 4.
It’s one of those pivotal game 4’s (where the higher seed is down 2-1 and on the road). It’s rare (very) that the winner of a game 4 in that situation doesn’t win the series. BOS should win. They’ve looked like the better team more often than not in the series, albeit slightly, and MIL is home and has the best player. Should be a good game to watch.
Bucks have exposed the overrated Celtics and they were able to do it without their second best player.
Bucks are winning this series.
Tatum is not a winner yet … But F the Bucks U are not fun at BB
Overrated? They have played much better this year than anyone predicted.
I mean, given almost 2/3 of the people here figured they’d beat the defending champs, I think “overrated” is fair.
They beat them.
And the Champs were called overrated last year until they won.
I thought you had to win 4 games to win the series.
The series isn’t over yet.
and the celtivas exposed the bucks yestrday. truth is that the bucks are also overrated by commwnters like you.
That aged well hahaha
Another top level commenter here
Celtics are not a championship caliber team. I see the Bucks winning the next two.
You’re forgetting that they have to play someone from the West. I think the Warriors or the Suns will give Milwaukee everything they can handle.
That didn’t age well.
Definitely not aged well.
Your Greek heritage clouded you judgment