Key Moment
Milwaukee came out on fire Tuesday night. Boston did not. The result of this game can be summarized as simply as that.
The Bucks’ offense gave Boston a taste of its own medicine during the first quarter by being borderline unstoppable. Milwaukee was scorching-hot out of the gates, making 11 of its first 13 shots while building a 28-14 lead. That early spurt, which included six made 3-pointers, provided the host Bucks with enough momentum to last them the entire night.
Milwaukee’s lead expanded to as many as 19 points during that opening frame as it shot a blistering 73.7 percent from the field and 80 percent from 3-point range while the Celtics struggled to just 30.8 percent shooting from the field. The Bucks eventually pulled ahead by as many as 24 points, and while Boston did pull to within 11 at the end of the third quarter, Milwaukee staved off the comeback and held on for a 104-91 win.
Key Player
Jrue Holiday was Boston’s top all-around player against Milwaukee despite the fact that his shot wasn’t up to its typical standards. The former Bucks star stuffed his box score with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and one blocked shot. This marks the third time in Holiday’s last four games in which he has scored at least 10 points, grabbed at least four rebounds, and dished out at least four assists.
Holiday’s one steal and one blocked shot also made for a fun stat: it marks the 27th instance this season in which the star defensive guard has logged at least one steal and at least one block during the same game.
Box Score Nuggets
- Jayson Tatum, who scored a game-high 22 points, was the only Celtics player who scored more than 14.
- Jaylen Brown, Patrick Beverley and Bobby Portis all tied for the game's top rebound mark with 10 apiece.
- Khris Middleton led the game in both assists (nine) and turnovers (seven).
- The Celtics shot just 39.8 percent from the field.
- Boston did not attempt a single free throw during the game, while Milwaukee attempted only two.
- Jrue Holiday stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and one blocked shot.
- Brown logged Boston's only double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.
- Six Bucks scored in double-figures, led by Beverley's 20 points.
Quote of the Night
"I think it's good for us to be in a bunch of different situations. That was the first time the game wasn't going our way, since... I don't remember when. So, to me, that's just a good opportunity to play through that."
– Joe Mazzulla on playing through the adversity of tonight's game