Stevens can see solution

MILWAUKEE — After failing to take control of the series and losing Game 3 to the Bucks, the Celtics get another chance today at the Bradley Center.

“I think every game can, right?” Celts coach Brad Stevens said of having another chance to win a third game and take a dominant position in the best-of-seven series before it returns to the Garden.

“I think ultimately we just have to play better. I think the biggest focus for us is playing well,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re playing a really talented team. And they put us in a bind in a lot of ways. I thought their athleticism and energy with which they played was incredible. We just have to play better. Our focus is not on all the other talking points. Our guys know the importance of the game. I think that’s pretty telltale. I think at the end of the day, what are you focused on? You just focused on how you play well.”

Stevens likes to talk about the need to “be strong with the ball,” and the Celtics’ eight-turnover first quarter set the tone for Game 3. Terry Rozier, in his worst performance of the series, had four of his five turnovers in that quarter.

“I don’t think there’s any question about that,” Stevens said of his team not being strong enough on offense. “They were definitely dictating the way the game was going to be played. They got into the ball, they made it tough on us. We just have to be better with it.”

Smart awaits med report

Marcus Smart, who possibly could return April 27 from right thumb surgery, meets with doctors this week, according to Stevens.

That’s when the Celtics guard will know whether he’s cleared for contact. Should the series go to a Game 7 on April 28, Smart conceivably could play, if cleared.

“I think once he’s cleared to do a full-contact practice, he’s cleared to play, based on what I understand,” said Stevens. “He’s doing everything but live . ... Other than that, I think he feels pretty good. He’s shooting the ball, he’s doing everything in a workout that you can do. It’s just a matter of being cleared for live play.”

League fines Morris $15K

Marcus Morris was fined $15,000 by the league for public criticism of officials. The Celtics forward spoke out after he received a technical foul in Game 3. He was ejected twice in the season’s final week, so Morris believes he’s been targeted.

“I can’t even speak on it, man,” he said at the time. “It’s been the same (expletive) all year,” said Morris. “I’m expecting it. They knew what they wanted before the game started. They knew who they wanted to go after. So that’s on them.”

Milwaukee played a more physical style in winning Game 3, yet the Celtics were disappointed by the perceived disparity in calls. In truth, the C’s attempted 28 free throws, 13 more than the Bucks.

Al Horford, in a rare display of frustration after getting knocked down by Eric Bledsoe without a call, flipped the ball to referee Scott Foster while also throwing in some complaints.

“Those were interesting plays,” said Horford. “That’s the way it goes. We’ll learn from that and we’ll be better.”

He carefully avoided going too far with analysis of the game officials. “I can’t answer.” Horford continued. “If I want to give money I’ll give it to charity, not the NBA. Maybe I can say it in Spanish and it will be fine. No?”