Dellavedova provides big boost
The chants of "Del-ly! Del-ly!" started at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in the second quarter of the Milwaukee Bucks' 116-92 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the first-round series Friday night.
Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova acknowledged that he heard the cheers. It must have been a sweet sound for the Australian after a trying regular season in which he missed 29 games with an ankle injury.
"It was a lot of fun," Dellavedova said Saturday. "That's why you work all season is to play in the playoffs. It was a long two months to get back. But just happy to be back out there."
He was the first Bucks player off the bench in Game 3 after Eric Bledsoe picked up his second foul at the 8:45 mark of the first quarter.
Dellavedova made an immediate impact by playing harassing, fullcourt defense on Celtcs point guard Terry Rozier.
Rozier, who did not have a turnover in 78 minutes over the first two games of the series, coughed the ball up 40 seconds after Dellavedova entered the game.
"I'm just trying to come in and bring as much energy as I can," Dellavedova said. "We need to pick up the physicality and energy."
Rozier finished with nine points, nine assists and five turnovers.
"Delly was very good with his ball pressure," Bucks coach Joe Prunty said. "Kind of a change of a pace.
"That's what's valuable about each one of our guys is that they do things differently. (Bledsoe) has a little bit more speed than Delly; Delly has a bit more physicality. But it gives the opponent a different look."
Dellavedova had five points and four assists in 16 minutes. It was the most he's played since hurting his ankle against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 4.
He eventually returned to play 10 minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers in the regular-season finale.
After not seeing the court in Game 1 against the Celtics, Dellavedova played just four minutes in the Bucks' 120-106 loss in Game 2.
He felt no ill effects after the heavier workload in Game 3, saying he made sure to stay in cardiovascular shape while he was rehabbing.
"I'm ready to go," Dellavedova said. "(I was doing) the bike, the SkiErg, the VersaClimber, the whole lot. So I feel great."
Sage advice: Retired NBA star Kevin Garnett was brought into Thon Maker's orbit when Jason Kidd was coaching the Bucks.
Garnett has continued to mentor the second-year Bucks player even after Kidd was fired in January.
Maker got some more encouragement from the famously intense Garnett after playing only one minute in the first two games against the Celtics.
"I texted him after Game 2 in Boston when we came back here," Maker said. "Mostly, we spoke about staying ready.
"Actually, what started it was a video he posted on social media. I sent him that video, the link, first and I said, 'This is very motivating.'
"And he's like 'That's what I'm talking about. When you go out there, you're not there to make friends. You got to bring that energy, you got to bring that toughness. You have nothing to lose. You've got the play hungry.' So I was ready."
Maker got his chance in Game 3 and delivered with 14 points, five rebounds and five blocks in 24 minutes.
Walking the walk: Bucks forward Jabari Parker voiced his frustration with playing time Thursday heading into Game 3. He had played just 25 minutes over the first two games, contributing just two points while looking frustrated and out of sync.
Parker looked totally different Friday night, much to the delight of his teammates, coaches and Bucks fans. He sat down in a defensive stance and embraced every challenge that came his way at that end, including blocking a pair of shots. He added a spark offensively, too, scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
“I just thought he backed it up,” Bucks guard Jason Terry said. “Once you make a bold statement as a professional athlete you know all eyes are going to be on you.
He’s stated what he’s wanted and he’s gone out and proven he can be effective in his minutes.”