NBA Playoffs: Celtics – Bucks Boils Down To A Best-Of-Three Series
With back-to-back losses for the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks and Celts are now looking at a best-of-three series in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.
To the Bucks’ credit, they had themselves quite the weekend in Milwaukee this past weekend.
Heading into Friday night’s Game 3, the Bucks trailed the Celtics 2-0 in the series. But by the time the weekend was over, they turned a best-of-seven, into a best-of-three, after tying up the series up at 2-2.
As the Celtics return home for Game 5 on Tuesday night, they will be looking to regain the series lead after losing Game 3, 116-92, and Game 4, 104-102.
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Through four games, the Bucks are shooting 54.3 percent from the field, which is 10.1 percent better than the Celtics’ 44.1 percent.
And the Bucks are shooting 4.8 percent better than the C’s from three-point land, which is concerning because the Celtics were the NBA’s second best three point shooting team this season.
But the Celtics have been crushing the Bucks on the boards, by out-rebounding them by 5.75 total rebounds-per-game. And they’re dominating on the offensive boards as well by snagging eight more per game than Bucks.
MILWAUKEE – Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks over Aron Baynes of the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 3 of round one of the Eastern Conference playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 20, 2018. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Celtics need to start doing a better job at sealing up the paint on the defensive end to minimize Milwaukee’s points in the paint because they’re letting up way too many easy baskets in that area.
Through four games, the Bucks have scored 58, 60, 34 and 46 points in the paint, respectively. And the Celtics have only out-scored the Bucks in the paint in one game, and that was in Game 3, when they dropped 42 within the painted area.
Both teams have struggled with turnovers throughout the series, with the Celts averaging 12.25 turnovers-per-game, while the Bucks are averaging 13.5.
NBA Playoffs: Stacking Up The Celtics And Bucks Regular Season Numbers
There’s been a lack of flow to each of the games because the referees can’t keep their whistles out of their mouths.
Over the last four games, each team is averaging a ridiculous amount of fouls-per-game. Like wicked ridiculous. Out of control ridiculous. All kinds of ridiculousness.
The Bucks are averaging a whopping 25.25 fouls-per-game, while the Celtics are committing 18.25 fouls-per-game.
NOTE: The NBA’s 2017-2018 regular season average was 19.9 fouls-per-game.
Milwaukee has committed less than 20 fouls in only one game this series. Whereas the Celtics haven’t committed more than 21 in a game all series.
The Bucks are winning their games by an average of 13 points, but they are only averaging 1.5 more points-per-game than the Celtics in the series. And in the C’s two wins, they won by an average of 10 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the way for the Bucks with 27.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.5 assist-per-game. He’s shooting a favorable 62 percent from the field. And 37.5 percent from three during his 38.9 minutes-per-game.
And rising star Jaylen Brown is leading all Celts scorers with 20.3 points-per-game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also averaging 4.3 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes-per-game.
The C’s and Bucks will play Games 5 and 7 (if necessary) on Tuesday and Saturday in Boston. And Game 6 will be in Milwaukee on Thursday night.
RECAP: Brown Drops Career-High 34 Points, C’s Drop Second Straight To Bucks
UP NEXT: The Boston Celtics (55-27/2-2) continue their first round action against the Milwaukee Bucks (44-38/2-2) on Tuesday night in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs. Catch the call of the game with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell, live on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 p.m., with tip-off set for 7:00 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 jhardiman@985thesportshub.com.
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