Jrue Holiday insisted Wednesday evening’s showdown with the Bucks was simply every other recreation, regardless that they simply traded him lower than two months in the past.
Joe Mazzulla echoed these sentiments. Though he acknowledged the hype of the Eastern Conference’s high two groups squaring off, he needs the Celtics to deal with each recreation the identical. And after a lackluster finish to their highway journey that concluded with an terrible extra time loss to the Hornets, he was extra nervous about his group rising.
But even when they’re not focused on making any early-season statements, the Celtics despatched a message with their actions on Wednesday at TD Garden, and it’s that they’re the frontrunners within the East till confirmed in any other case.
In a possible Eastern Conference Finals preview, within the first of what may very well be many matchups this season, the Celtics drew first blood. In a battle of new-look rosters, Boston’s roster confirmed to be forward of Milwaukee’s within the early levels of the season. The Celtics didn’t make issues straightforward on themselves, as their late-game execution was shaky once more, however fueled by a dominant begin, they held on for a 119-116 Bucks at a boisterous pre-Thanksgiving Garden.
Jaylen Brown scored 26 factors – which included some highlight-reel dunks – and added eight assists in a terrific bounce-back effort, Jayson Tatum had 23 factors and the bench got here up huge in stretches because the Celtics responded from Monday’s dangerous defeat in Charlotte. They held Bucks star Giannis Antetekounmpo to 21 factors on 7-for-20 taking pictures, and newcomer Damian Lillard to 27 factors on 24 photographs. The Bucks made a late surge, however the C’s stored their composure within the remaining minute to assert a giant victory.
The Celtics led by as many as 21 within the first half with assist from the bench and a giant defensive effort, however they turned sloppy within the second half. Turnovers mounted. Kristaps Porzingis obtained into foul bother and the Bucks discovered their groove late. The C’s led by 16 with lower than 5 minutes remaining and practically coughed it up. Lillard’s step-back 3-pointer with 44 seconds to go all of the sudden reduce Boston’s result in 114-111.
Tatum was fouled driving to the rim on the following possession and hit one in all two free throws to push the Celtics’ result in 4. On the following Bucks possession, Lillard discovered a lane to the rim and tried a dunk however missed because of some stress from Derrick White. Tatum corralled the rebound and made two free throws to seal the victory.
Source: www.bostonherald.com