Celtics are thrilled to be home for Game 7
The NBA's long regular season can be tedious, but make no mistake, it matters.
Just ask the Boston Celtics, who have home-court advantage in Game 7 of their second-round NBA playoff series today thanks to a superior regular-season record than the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It means everything,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said of getting Game 7 in Boston. “The best atmosphere in the NBA. Game 7s are the biggest and best games. Looking forward to it, truly.
“We worked all season to have home-court advantage and get the last game in our house,” said All-Star guard Devin Booker, who will play for a Phoenix Suns team that's also hosting a Game 7 against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. “It's exciting. It's Game 7. I've never been in a Game 7, so this will be fun.”
The Celtics and Bucks have alternated victories throughout their series. By that pattern, it should be the Bucks' turn to get the win. But there's little doubt Boston's home court will be loud and hostile on Sunday.
“For me, I've just got to go play,” Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “I want my teammates to enjoy the moment.”
NEED TO KNOW >> These teams have alternated victories throughout the series, with the Bucks winning the odd-numbered games and the Celtics taking the even-numbered ones. The road teams are 4-2 and have won each of the last three games. Boston's Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee's Antetokounmpo have been spectacular. Antetokounmpo is averaging 35.3 points, 13.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists in this series, while Tatum is averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5 assists. Tatum had 46 points and Antetokounmpo 44 in the Celtics' 108-95 Game 6 victory in Milwaukee, marking just the fifth time opponents have scored at least 44 points in the same playoff game. The Celtics are 24-9 all-time in Game 7s, compared to 3-8 for the Bucks.
KEEP AN EYE ON >> The 3-point comparison. In Boston's three victories, the Celtics have shot 41.5% from 3-point range and have outscored the Bucks 153-57 from beyond the arc. In the Celtics' three losses, they have a much narrower 111102 advantage from 3-point range and have made just 32.5% of their attempts.
INJURY WATCH >> Bucks F Khris Middleton has missed nine straight playoff game with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Celtics F/C Robert Williams III has missed three straight games with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee and is questionable for Game 7. “It's a pain-tolerance thing,” Boston coach Ime Udoka said. “Soreness, swelling is down. It's just a matter of extension, inflexion and if the pain is gone basically with the bone bruise. Nothing structural. It's legitimately day to day.”
PRESSURE IS ON >> Bucks G Grayson Allen: After delivering a 22-point outburst and a 27-point performance in back-to-back games when the Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls in the first round, Allen hasn't been nearly as effective in this series despite moving into a starting role in Game 3. He has scored a total of 23 points over his last five games and has shot 2 of 14 from 3-point range during that stretch. Allen shot 1 of 7 overall and scored three points in Game 6.