Now, that tribulation has magnified for the opposition.
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The Bucks allowed 35 points in the first quarter as the Celtics shot 60% (15 of 25), despite going 0 of 6 on three-point attempts.
Boston – A sluggish start put the Milwaukee Bucks in catch-up mode but they never could reel in the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
Overall the Bucks held their own in Boston, rallying from an 18-point second half deficit to close within four of the Celtics in the final minute of a 112-107 loss. Michael Carter-Williams leads in assists with 5.3 and in steals with 1.5 per game. The Boston Celtics out-rebounded Milwaukee 14-6, while Crowder netted 14 points and Johnson arguably had his best quarter of the season. “He can handle the ball, he wants that responsibility, and he strives in it”. After Crowder’s exit, the Boston offense got back to their scoring ways, playing through Eastern Conference All-Star Isaiah Thomas.
Johnson, who has been bothered by back trouble, had totaled 10 points and seven rebounds in the previous four games. He has logged four straight double-doubles, including his first career triple-double (27 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) during the Bucks’ latest outing Monday night against the Lakers. Games here tend to be lively, yet at the start of the season that did little to provide the Celtics a lift.
Bucks: Parker had eight straight Milwaukee points at one point in the fourth quarter….
The Bucks absorbed their second loss in six games since coach Jason Kidd made a couple of lineup changes. “We have to get back to [our defensive identity] or we’ll struggle down the stretch”, he added.
Antetokounmpo saw it as a sign of things to come. I’m not sure it really hurt them when all was said and done, but I was surprised at how much Giannis dominated the ball relative to Middleton in particular. The third-year coach has coaxed the type of effort and production out of this rag-tag group that you only dream about. “Just trying to rest it and get some treatment”, Thomas said. Though Antetokounmpo essentially took his role in the starting lineup, Carter-Williams has embraced what he has brought to the team lately.
“That play right there describes our team”, Bradley said.
Added Stevens: “I think the biggest thing is just, any time you’re talking about winning in this league right now, I think versatility is huge. He’s an All-Star, well deserved, and All-Stars make plays when needed for their team, and tonight he made a heck of a play to find his teammate in the corner”.
“Jabari and Giannis both had pretty good games”, Kidd said.
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“It makes the game simple and it makes the game easy when you can pass the ball”, said Kidd, who ranks No. 2 all-time in National Basketball Association career assists. Boston will be looking to win nine consecutive home games for the first time since an 11-game run there from January 27-March 16, 2013.
