In three regular-season conferences, the Celtics put the Bucks on discover.
On Christmas Day, the C’s smoked the Bucks with a 139-118 thumping. Even in a loss in Milwaukee final month, the Celics have been lacking 4 starters – together with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown – and nonetheless managed to drive additional time and virtually steal one. Then on Thursday, the Celtics dismantled the Bucks with a 140-99 drubbing at Fiserv Forum that was by no means shut.
With 5 video games left earlier than the playoffs, the Bucks lead the Celtics by two video games atop the Eastern Conference. The two groups look to be on a collision course to the convention finals. If that occurs, and whereas the Bucks will seemingly have home-court benefit for that playoff collection, the Celtics – who beat the Bucks in seven video games in final season’s convention semifinals – look to have the sting. They definitely don’t appear to be involved about going into Milwaukee and getting a win there if they should.
How apprehensive are the Bucks of the Celtics? After Thursday’s loss, Milwaukee star Giannis Antetekounmpo didn’t maintain again when requested concerning the stage of concern he and his workforce have for a possible playoff collection towards the defending Eastern Conference champions. The Bucks have been taking part in on the second night time of a back-to-back on Thursday night time, however the two-time MVP wasn’t keen on making excuses.
“We know what the deal is,” Antetekounmpo, who had 24 factors on simply 11-for-27 capturing, informed reporters in Milwaukee. “It’s not onerous to know. If you’re not targeted, in the event you don’t play onerous, they’re going to kick our ass. Simple as that. They did it tonight. Won by 40. If you’re not locked in, in the event you don’t play onerous and in the event you don’t go on the market to make it powerful on them, they’re going to kick our ass. Simple as that. There’s no stage of concern. It’s a reality. So, you’ve got this in your head and it’s as much as us to see how we’re going to take care of it. Are we going to go and play the identical method? If we play the identical method, we’re going to have the identical final result. …
“We have to compete, gotta have some pride. Hopefully we can do that, and if we do that, we’ll have a chance to win.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com