All that Bazz
In what was unequivocally the biggest curveball of the night, forward Shabazz Muhammad played a factor in the Bucks’ loss to the Celtics, both for good and subsequently bad reasons.
With the Bucks lacking considerable firepower for the majority of the night and a number of their role players struggling to put their imprint on the game, head coach Joe Prunty called Muhamad’s number at the 7:39 mark of the third quarter.
Muhammad delivered upon entering the game as he promptly knocked down a pair of three pointers, put home a cutting layup while drawing a foul for an and-one, and had a tough baseline finish threaded by Giannis Antetokounmpo in a matter of minutes in the period. Those scores were crucial in putting the Bucks within four of the Celtics at the 3:46 mark of the frame.
However, that was as far as the 25-year-old’s scoring punch wound up landing. Unfortunately, Muhammad’s stay on the court wore out its welcome beyond that stretch, even going as far as being called on to deliver in crunch time in the fourth quarter as part of the team’s closing, small ball lineup.
When it was all said and done, Muhammad posted 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field (2-of-3 from beyond the arc), three rebounds, one steal as well as one turnover and was a +8 in nine minutes and 46 seconds of time.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: The postseason rejuvenation of Thon Maker
The Bucks’ series with the Celtics now shifts back to the BMO Harris Bradley Center for Game 6, which will go down Thursday night at 7 PM central time.