The wait for the Celtics was indeed a short one, as the Bucks wasted absolutely no time in punching their ticket to Boston with Wednesday’s closeout Game 5 victory over the Bulls at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.
It was pure domination from the Bucks, really, as they crushed the shorthanded Bulls in what was a near wire-to-wire effort, with a Chicago lead that never got beyond a single point in what ended as a 16-point victory for Milwaukee. The 16-point finish made things seem closer than they really ever were, too, with the Bucks at one point holding a 29-point lead.
So it’s off to Boston for the defending champion Bucks for the first playoff series between these teams since their 2019 second-round showdown, and after a regular-season split between the sides at 2-2.
The full schedule will go as follows…
Apr 7, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. (Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports)
Game 1: Sunday, May 1 at TD Garden (1:00 p.m., ABC)
A Game 1 series opener is currently the only game of this series with a set time, as the Bucks and Celtics will tip off at 1 p.m. from TD Garden. The Bucks have been surprisingly ‘meh’ in round openers over their last four postseasons, with a 4-6 record in Game 1 contests since 2019. Game 1 losses haven’t done much to derail the Bucks, however, as they’ve have actually won five of the six series that have featured a Game 1 defeat.
Dec 13, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket while defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward Rodney Hood (5) during the first half at TD Garden. (Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports)
Game 2: Tuesday, May 3 at TD Garden (TBD, TNT)
The Celtics won’t have to day with a long wait between Games 1 and 2 like they did in their first-round series with the Nets, as they’ll get back to work for Game 2 just two days after Game 1. Excluding games in the Orlando bubble, the Celtics have actually won five straight home Game 2 contests at TD Garden dating back to 2018. Their last Game 2 loss at home: Game 2 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics in the second half at Fiserv Forum on December 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Game 3: Saturday, May 7 at Fiserv Forum (TBD, ABC)
The Celtics and Bucks will move their second-round showdown to Cream City (what a gross nickname, man) and have a staggering delay between Games 2 and 3, as the NBA will want this series headlining one of the league’s weekend broadcast slots. The Bucks are 20-4 in Milwaukee-based playoff contests since the 2018 postseason.
Apr 7, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Boston Celtics center Daniel Theis (27) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)
Game 4: Monday, May 9 at Fiserv Forum (TBD, TNT)
The series will get back on an every-other-day schedule for a Monday night Game 4 in Milwaukee.
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 13: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives to the hoop the past Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at TD Garden on December 13, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Game 5: Wednesday, May 11 at TD Garden (TBD, ESPN)
The Celtics have wins in five of their last seven Game 5 showdowns. They’ve been eliminated in both of those Game 5 defeats (2019 against Milwaukee and 2021 against Brooklyn).
Dec 25, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) drives towards the basket against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. (Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports)
Game 6: Friday, May 13 at Fiserv Forum (TBD, ESPN)
A potential elimination game on Friday the 13th. Some would argue that Camp Crystal Lake was one big elimination game. (I am that some. I would argue that.)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 13: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball while guarded by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on December 13, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Game 7: Sunday, May 15 at TD Garden (TBD, TBD)
The Celtics have not had a Game 7 at the Garden since the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals. The last Celtics-Bucks Game 7 came during that run, as the C’s outlasted Milwaukee in Game 7 of their first-round matchup.