Grading the Milwaukee Bucks’ rough Game 4 loss to Boston Celtics

May 9, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is guarded by Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is guarded by Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Wesley Matthews, Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum
May 9, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports /

Grades from the Milwaukee Bucks Rough Game 4 Loss: Celtics

Boston Celtics: A

The Boston Celtics did what the Milwaukee Bucks did during their first two home games, finished with a 1-1 split and now have turned this into a three game series with two of them scheduled to be played in Boston. Boston used the fourth quarter to turn a seven-point deficit into an eight-point win.

After game 3 I wasn’t expecting another poor shooting night from Jayson Tatum and that was the case, despite some good defense from Wesley Matthews Tatum still found ways to score, using screens to create mismatches and hitting jump shots. Tatum finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and five assists and was 5-for-6 in the fourth quarter.

Tatum’s main counterpart in game 4 was Al Horford, who for some reason, continues to find himself wide open for jump shots. Horford was 11-for-14 from the field including 5-of-7 behind the 3-point line. The Bucks would be far better off leaving guys like Daniel Theis or Marcus Smart open behind the line. Horford is 14-for-28 behind the 3-point line in this series, Marcus Smart is 4-of-13, whether or not Horford will continue hitting 50 percent of his threes will be seen but giving him wide open looks will only increase the odds of that being the case.

The Celtics got efficient nights from Marcus Smart (8-of-13) and Jaylen Brown (5-of-11) who scored 18 points each and were both crucial in the fourth quarter.

Next. Wesley Matthews’ importance to Milwaukee Bucks cannot be overstated. dark

Milwaukee has some cleaning up to do, efficiency wise and in working the rotations to keep guys from running out of gas in the fourth quarter. That said, they showed in game 1 that they’re capable of winning in Boston and did so convincingly, they’ll need to repeat that performance and if they can, will have a chance to win the series at home on Friday.