The Milwaukee Bucks entered TD Garden on Sunday hoping to take Game 1 of their playoff series with the Boston Celtics. While the game was certainly not lacking entertainment, the Bucks could not pull out a victory in overtime.
It’s hard to beat playoff basketball, and Game 1 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics brought the excitement that only playoff basketball can provide. While the game certainly had its share of high points for the Bucks, they will enter Tuesday’s Game 2 facing an 0-1 deficit.
Unsurprisingly the Celtics jumped out on the Bucks quick in front of their home crowd. Milwaukee was down 12 points at the end of the first quarter thanks to an atrocious offensive ending to the first quarter that could have been worse if not for good starts from Khris Middleton and John Henson, yes you read that correctly.
The second quarter was a completely different story as the Bucks dominated and outscored Boston 30-15 to take control of the lead going into the half. The strong quarter had a lot to do with the best player in the series showing that he was just that as Giannis had 12 points in the quarter and looked unstoppable.
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As you would expect from a coach of Brad Stevens caliber, the Celtics made adjustments on Giannis at the half and things were much more difficult for him in the second half.
Milwaukee and the Greek Freak did not have an answer for Boston’s adjustments in the third quarter, and a three-point halftime lead vanished quickly as the Bucks were held to just 19 points in the quarter.
The fourth quarter did not start out any better for Joe Prunty’s team as Milwaukee was held to just two field goals over the first seven minutes of the period.
The Bucks saw their deficit grow to 10 at one point before they were able to claw their way back into the game.
With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Al Horford hit a pair of free throws to give Boston a 94-91 advantage. Then, things got wild. Giannis found his way to the rim for an easy dunk, but Horford answered back with another pair of free throws. Joe Prunty took a timeout and out of the stoppage the reigning Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, hit a clutch three from the right wing to tie the game at 96.
Terry Rozier made sure the Milwaukee celebration did not last long as he crossed over Eric Bledsoe and drained a completely uncontested step-back three to regain the lead for the home team.
Just when it seemed hope was lost, Khris Middleton hit an improbable shot at the buzzer to give the Bucks life again.
However, tough shots by Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier and offensive rebounds doomed the Bucks in overtime as they were outscored by the Celtics 14-8.
With a wild Game 1 in the books, lets take a look at the factors that led to the Bucks’ downfall.