Celtics have the look of a title-caliber team
Jeff Zillgitt: Boston takes home-court advantage in Game 1 win over Bucks
The Celtics could not have asked for a better start to the Eastern Conference semifinals in the NBA playoffs.
On the road in Game 1, the Celtics defeated Milwaukee 112-90 on Sunday, stealing home-court advantage. Game 2 is Tuesday.
Boston impressed with its offense and its defense, shooting 54% from the field (41.9% on 3-pointers) and holding the Bucks to 34.8% shooting.
Scoring 100-plus on the Bucks and holding them to less than 100 should send a message, given the Bucks were one of the best offensive and defensive teams this season. Even more telling, the Bucks held All-Star and MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo to 22 points on 7-for-21 shooting.
Boston coach Brad Stevens and his staff developed a great game plan focused on making it difficult for Antetokounmpo offensively. The Celtics tried to wall off his driving lanes, and they were physical with him throughout. Don’t be surprised if Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer points that out without crossing the line into fine territory for public criticism of the officials.
After a regular season defined by inconsistency and questions about the Celtics’ ability to compete for a championship, they have removed doubts early in the playoffs. Boston swept the Pacers in the first round.
Even though the Celtics are the four seed, they have top-seed talent with Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward. They are the uncommon four seed capable of getting to the NBA Finals.
Irving and Horford, the two Celtics with the most playoff experience, were fantastic, each recording double-doubles. Irving had 26 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds; Horford had 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
The emergence of Hayward postAll-Star break should be noted, too. He missed all of the 2017-18 season after suffering a gruesome leg injury minutes into in the season opener in 2017. He rehabbed and worked his way back, and even though there were glimpses of the old Hayward in the first part of the season, he still struggled at times.
Since the All-Star break and especially in the playoffs, Hayward, who had 13 points, five assists and four rebounds against the Bucks, is making his shot more often and is more confident with his moves.
Boston also limited Brook Lopez to three points on 1-for-5 shooting. It has neutralized Lopez well this season. With Antetokounmpo struggling to get his points and Lopez shut down, the Bucks didn’t have enough scoring from the rest of the team. Eric Bledsoe (1for-5, 0-for-4 on threes) needs to find his offense. Boston wanted to shrink the court and take away drives leading to easy threes.
Stevens got the best of Budenholzer in Game 1. Now it’s on Budenholzer to counter in Game 2.