Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped the Boston Celtics’ six-game winning streak on Tuesday night with a 106-102 win in the C’s first of back-to-back road games.
Earlier in the day the Celtics announced that they would be without Shane Larkin (illness) and Terry Rozier III (left ankle sprain), leaving them without a point guard.
With both Larkin and Rozier out, guard Kadeem Allen was recalled from the Maine Red Claws to get the start at the point.
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Two minutes into the game the Celtics went on a 13-4 run to take an 18-9 lead with 7:10 to play in the first. But the Bucks battled back to cut the C’s lead to five at 31-26 heading into the second.
During the first quarter, rookie Jayson Tatum made Celtics history:
Jayson Tatum ties the record... pic.twitter.com/mk4vRu7jwl
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) April 4, 2018
The Bucks maintained their lead for most of the early part of the second until the Celtics tied things at 45-45 with 5:08 to play. But it was the East’s eighth placed Bucks who were able to pull away with a 58-56 lead heading into halftime.
.@jaytatum0 at the ????! pic.twitter.com/Cj4NlrcRnH
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 4, 2018
Tatum led all C’s scorers at the half with 11 points (3-7 FG), and Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris each had a dime. Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton each had 15 for the Bucks.
Following a concerning series of missed shots for the Celtics, the Bucks were able to go on a 13-5 over the final 4:49 of the third, to take a 79-71 lead into the final quarter.
So this happened in the middle of the fourth:
Very strange play here. Baynes dunks in a miss off a free throw, and then the refs whistle a double-lane-violation, which leads to a jump ball. Don't know if I've ever seen this.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) April 4, 2018
The Celtics pulled within four with 2:05 left on the clock, but the Bucks maintained their lead down the final stretch of the game, as the Celtics tried to battle back with a series of fouls and full court presses.
After the longest minute in basketball, the Bucks finished off the night with a 106-102 win over the Celtics.
With the Bucks’ win, they now bring the season series to 2-2, drawing even on the home and away front.
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Brown filled the stat-sheet with 24 points (9-15 FG), four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block for the Celtics. Tatum finished the night with 20 points (3-8 3PT) and pair of rebounds. And Al Horford shot 66.6 percent from the field for 15 points.
In his first career NBA start, Allen finished the night with two points (1-4 FG) in 23 minutes. In addition to a rebound, two assists, a steal and a block.
Antetokounmpo led all Bucks scorers with a 29-point, 11-rebound double-double on 50 percent shooting, to go along with six assists. Middleton sniffed a double-double himself with 20 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
As a team the short-handed Celtics shot 46.9 percent from the field and 30.4 percent from three. While the Bucks shot 54.4 percent from the field and a miserable 25 percent from three.
“Ultimately, I thought our guys did a pretty good job of hanging around from an offensive perspective,” Stevens says, taking our lack of depth into account. pic.twitter.com/EplQogWz4N
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 4, 2018
The Celtics now trail the Toronto Raptors by two games in the Eastern Conference following Tuesday’s loss. Both teams have five games remaining, with a rematch from Saturday slated for Wednesday night in Toronto.
Celtics and Raptors both lose.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) April 4, 2018
Here's the setup for tomorrow...
TORONTO 55-22 --
BOSTON 53-24 2
Magic Numbers:
Toronto: 4
Boston: 8
Tomorrow's game reduces the winner's number by 3 as it will decide the tiebreaker as well.
Updates From Earlier In The Day On Larkin and Rozier:
Brad Stevens on Terry Rozier’s ankle: “He said he feels better than yesterday. I’d say based on that, he’s probable (for tonight’s game).”#NEBHInjuryReport
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 3, 2018
Brad Stevens says Terry Rozier (ankle) was at 80-85 percent this morning, so he will not play. “Terry’s going to have a lot of minutes ahead, so we want him to feel great.” #NEBHInjuryReport
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 3, 2018
#NEBHInjuryReport: Shane Larkin (illness) will not make it to Milwaukee for tonight’s game, but he may fly tomorrow to Toronto. “He is feeling better, thankfully,” says Brad Stevens.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 3, 2018
UP NEXT: The Celtics (53-24) will play the second of back-to-back road games on Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors (55-22). Catch the call of the game with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell, live on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Pre-game coverage begins at 7:30 p.m., with tip-off set for 8:00 p.m.
— By John ‘The Dude’ Hardiman, 985TheSportsHub.com
John Hardiman is a Digital Producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for John? Hit him up on Twitter @HardiDude or e-mail him at john.hardiman@bbgi.com.
