Final evening, the Boston Celtics pulled off a slim 122-119 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Backyard for his or her sixth straight win. It was not at all a straightforward win, even with Bucks famous person Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined for the evening with a hamstring damage, with the Celtics getting outscored 36-21 within the remaining body. Boston shot a rocky 5-of-18 from the sphere, however shot 8-of-10 from the charity stripe with Jayson Tatum going an ideal 6-for-6 to place away Milwaukee.
After placing up some strong numbers within the first half, Tatum went and not using a shot try within the third quarter, and went 1-of-6 within the 4th quarter. Boston’s famous person nonetheless stuffed the stat sheet and completed because the group’s main scorer with 31 factors on 9-of-19 capturing, 4-of-7 from deep, and 9-of-10 from the road to associate with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, three steals and two blocks.
“I really feel like we received some beauty,” mentioned Tatum on his dry spell within the third. “Possibly (I used to be) attempting to be ready to get different guys going. I knew I had it going within the first half, so at occasions choosing the spots to be, or attempt to be, extra of a facilitator. You realize, typically it’s simply how the rhythm of the sport goes, it’s not like intentional…typically it’s simply how the sport is flowing.”
“It is highly effective. What that does for our group, how significantly better it makes us.”
Jayson Tatum talks watching Jaylen Brown tackle Damian Lillard matchup pic.twitter.com/2BNrWt3w9s
— Celtics on NBC Sports activities Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 21, 2024
In addition to a tough 4th quarter, the Celtics had been for essentially the most half comfy and in management towards the Giannis-less Bucks, main by as many as 21 factors earlier than a near-collapse late within the sport. After notching their fifty fifth win of the season, Boston whittles their magic quantity to clinch 1st seed within the Jap Convention down to three; after only one extra win, the Celtics might be locked into the highest two no matter how the remainder of the common season goes.
“I assumed Jayson’s poise down the stretch, of attending to the free throw line, attending to the spot that he wished was a key to the sport, “mentioned head coach Joe Mazzulla. “That, and our defensive depth as a group.”
Boston had held an 18-point lead heading into the 4th, the place their offensive struggles let Milwaukee again into the sport. Jaylen Brown led the way in which for Boston within the third quarter, scoring 11 factors on 4-of-9 capturing. “I don’t suppose me not capturing an entire quarter is one thing we’re gonna get used to,” mentioned Tatum. “However you understand, there are specific outliers in the course of the season.”
Solely twice in 69 video games has anybody shot 53% or higher towards the Celtics…
…it was Milwaukee each occasions.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) March 21, 2024
A by way of line for the Celtics this season has been sacrificing for the betterment of the group, and guys being keen to take a backseat on a night-by-night foundation as wanted. Typically, which means resting, or perhaps enjoying totally different roles whereas the group rides the recent hand any given sport. Kristaps Porzingis beforehand praised each Jrue Vacation and Jayson Tatum for his or her sacrifices, particularly citing Tatum’s willingness to place group success over his MVP case.
Nights like Wednesday are a reminder of simply how succesful this Celtics roster is even when somebody is having an off evening, or how a lot of their success has hinged on key gamers understanding their roles. A number of groups wrestle with discovering the steadiness offensively, and for Boston, the problem is bigger with a lot expertise within the beginning 5 alone and groups giving them their finest shot on the defensive finish. Over the previous few seasons, the Celtics have struggled with enjoying towards zone protection, and as soon as once more needed to work round it of their win over the Bucks.
“We received some beauty,” mentioned Tatum. “I say it on a regular basis, it’s a make-or-miss league. We’re not going to make all of them, however producing good pictures…the hardest half was we weren’t getting stops and so they had been permitting them to set their protection. They received sizzling, they made some pictures, so credit score to them.”
Quite a bit might be mentioned about this win by Boston, not as a result of it was one other win separating them from the remainder of the east, however because of how a lot hassle Milwaukee gave them with out Giannis within the lineup. The noise would’ve been loads louder if the Celtics had spit the bit, and deservedly so. However alas, they survived and pulled out a tricky win because the common season inches nearer to the tip.
The Celtics lead the Jap Convention by 11 video games with 13 to go.
ELEVEN GAMES!
— Marc D’Amico (@Marc_DAmico) March 21, 2024
These sort of robust video games, no matter who’s out, are vital to constructing group success heading into the postseason. Some will select to spin it to suit a story it doesn’t matter what the end result was. If the Celtics misplaced that sport, it will turn out to be a dialog of dropping to the Bucks with out Giannis. Even when Boston had held the lead and let it balloon to 30 earlier than the ultimate buzzer, some individuals would chalk it as much as Giannis being out, and simply write the win off fully. The NBA spin zone, albeit relentless, is something however unpredictable. Typically, a win is only a win, a loss is only a loss, and placing an excessive amount of weight or inventory into it’s a idiot’s errand.
“It was ugly,” mentioned Tatum, “However a win is a win. We’ll take it.” Boston performs once more tomorrow evening after they journey to Detroit to tackle the Pistons.
