SPORT Boston mistake to bench Baynes

BOSTON coach Brad Stevens’ decision to keep his Australian big man Aron Baynes on the bench proved a disaster, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the Milwaukee to a dominant game three win in the NBA eastern conference semi-final series.

The Bucks won 123-116 in front of a shell-shocked Boston TD Garden arena crowd to take a 2-1 lead over the Celtics.

NBA MVP candidate Antetokounmpo was spectacular scoring 32 points, while grabbing 13 rebounds and providing eight assists plus two steals.

Baynes played just two minutes and was scoreless.

Stevens went with back-up forward Semi Ojeleye to help starters Al Horford and Marcus Morris combat Antetokounmpo, but they had little success.

The coach admitted Baynes may be the better option.

“We may have to go back with that just because he provides a little more protection in the paint and he’ll take a charge off the ball which I think is important,” Stevens said.

Game four is in Boston onTuesday morning (NT time).

“We definitely have a lot of momentum, but we have to keep playing good basketball and keep defending,” Antetokounmpo said.

“In game four they are definitely going to play harder but we have to be the one that hits first.”

Stevens said the problem he faces when playing Baynes against Milwaukee is the Bucks have a number of

“If he’s not going to guard Giannis he has to guard a three-point shooter”

three-point shooters who are able to drag the Australian away from the basket.

“I think it’s tough,” Stevens said.

“If he’s not going to guard Giannis he has to guard a three-point shooter and that is difficult.”

Boston All-Star Kyrie Irving had 29 points but missed 14 of 22 field goals and six of eight three-pointers.

In Portland, CJ McCollum matched his career play-off high with 41 points, Rodney Hood hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 18.6 seconds left as the Trailblazers edged the Denver Nuggets 140-137 in the fourth period of overtime to take a 2-1 lead in the western conference semi-finals.

McCollum scored 28 points after the third quarter for Portland, which stretched its winning streak at home to 12 games dating back to the regular season.

Nikola Jokic had his third triple-double of the play-offs with 33 points, 18 rebounds and 14 assists, but the Nuggets star missed a crucial free throw with 5.6 secs remaining.

The series continues in Portland on Monday morning (NT time).