Brown ready for the Bucks
With the extra rest, hamstring should be good to go in Game 1
Jaylen Brown is coming off of one of the steadiest playoff performances of his career, not just in terms of what he scored (22.5 ppg, nine made baskets in each game), but the plays he was able to make as a passer against the Nets.
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
Fortunately for Brown, sweeping the Nets gave him time to heal his tender right hamstring. All concerned, from Brown to the coaches and trainers, believe he’ll be ready for Game 1 on Sunday against the Bucks.
“(Feel) good,” Brown said after Saturday’s practice. “I did some tests this week, got some treatment, should be ready to roll for tomorrow. … Anytime you’re dealing with a lingering injury, you want to be precautious and careful. But I think I’m ok.”
It’s not the first time Brown has encountered hamstring trouble this season, but compared to past hammy experiences, Brown is confident in his ability to begin this series against the Bucks.
“Just previous hamstring stuff before. But this one is on the lower end of the spectrum, so I’ll be fine,” he said, giving thanks for the extended break in between series.
“It was essential,” he said. “It was great being able to have a couple days, especially trying to get healthy and make sure everything was taken care of. It was essential to have a couple days off. So credit to us taking care of business so we can have that.”
Attacking the Bucks
Milwaukee has one of the most paint-centric defenses in the NBA, and executes its principles better than just about anyone. Brown, a major rim threat, can’t back off is own game just because the Bucks pack the paint.
“Playing off two, be ready to shoot. Good offense is good defense. So just taking the right shots, being efficient and things like that,” said Brown. “Just being really sound. Sometimes being solid can be enough. This is a team that will capitalize on mistakes, the bad shots and the turnovers, stuff like that. They’re the defending champs so we’ve gotta be really sound and disciplined when we play against them.
“They blitz me at times too,” Brown said of what he has in common with the defenses thrown at Jayson Tatum. “Definitely driving to the paint or in the post they try to take me out of (certain) situations. So I think it’s a balance on both ends. With both of us on the floor, you’ve gotta do something. At times, just read and reacting and playing the game. They mix it up. Certain teams might blitz, certain teams might not. So just reading the game on the fly is important. But every game is different. Some games they blitz me, some games they blitz JT. It depends on who has it going at the time.
So being ready for everything.
“Just read the game. Be patient. Be poised. Read the game. Milwaukee does a good job of protecting the paint, but still do what I do, get to the paint, make the right play. We’ve just gotta come out and play basketball at the end of the day, let your eyes make the decision. The game will tell you what to do. We know how to game plan for it so keep that in mind, but still be aggressive, still get to the paint. Just because they pack the paint doesn’t mean still getting to the paint is not going to be effective for our offense. So
still get to the paint and make the right play.”
Time Lord progress
According to Ime Udoka, Rob Williams has been training at a higher pace than that of the rest of the team as he attempts to work back in shape. Significant rust was apparent during his first two appearances in Games 3 and 4 against the Nets.
“Yeah, he’s been doing more than the other guys, with that time he missed,” said the Celtics coach. “But we had a good hard one on Thursday, so he got a good amount of scrimmaging in
there, but he’s getting some extra work, as well.”
And, according to Grant Williams, the Time Lord has advanced quickly as a result.
“Rob looks great. He’s running, moving around well, so it’s great to hear that he’s having no pain, too. So that’s exciting and just being able to kind of be out there with him again, it’s kind of cool to be on the court because missing Rob we know what he brings, the knowledge of the team with his personality, his energy, but also with his presence on the basketball floor. So it’s just great to have him back and excited to move forward.”