NO BAD BLOOD

Celtics’ Rozier says he’s got no grudge with Bucks’ Bledsoe

BOSTON Celtics guard Terry Rozier downplayed any beef with Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe after the two exchanged verbal slights in recent days following the Celtics’ victories in Games 1 and 2 in the firstround playoff series.

“I ain’t got no bad blood with nobody,” Rozier told reporters Thursday. “Everybody out here play basketball, ain’t nobody no boxers or none of that stuff. I’m not really worried about all that. I’m not caught up in that. I’m worried about Celtics and Bucks, how can I help my team get past the first round?”

After the Celtics took Sunday’s Game 1 in overtime — with Rozier hitting a step-back 3pointer against Bledsoe in the closing seconds of regulation — Rozier referred to Bledsoe as “Drew Bledsoe,” the name of the former NFL quarterback who played for the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys.

Following Game 2, Bledsoe was asked postgame whether he was taking the matchup against Rozier personally and replied, “Who?” A reporter repeated “Terry Rozier” and Bledsoe said, “I don’t even know who the (expletive) that is.”

Asked Thursday about referring to Bledsoe as “Drew,” Rozier smiled and said, “I made a huge mistake. But it is what it is now. I don’t care.”

Rozier, 24, has 46 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and no turnovers through the first two games of the series while starting at point guard with Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart out. By comparison, the 28-yearold Bledsoe is 9 of 25 from the field with 21 points, eight assists and six turnovers.