Definitely, the 2-2 is fashionable in these conference semi-finals, since a new series displays such a score after four games, and it is that between the Bucks and the Celtics.
Since that night, the two teams have effectively also found themselves tied, because the C’s have managed to win with forceps on the floor of the defending champions (116-108)! In the wake of the enormous performance of Al Horford (30 points, 8 rebounds) and Jayson Tatum (30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists) also valuable at the end.
Even if they have been in the lead for a long time, Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists) and his team must therefore give up home advantage to the Massachusetts players and they will try to regain it on Wednesday evening, at the TD Garden.
On condition, of course, of not proposing a last quarter as failed as in this Game 4…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Despite the frustration, Boston trapped Milwaukee. In this part with the appearance of trench warfare, regularly chopped up by faults and which smelled good of the Eastern Conference, the Celtics knew how to turn their backs to let the storm pass when nothing was going their way. Especially in the third quarter, when Giannis Antetokounmpo was painting their paint and every whistle was in favor of the Bucks. Frustrated, like Jaylen Brown (fouls) or Jayson Tatum (clumsiness), Ime Udoka’s men nevertheless held on, so as not to be left behind and sign a last act of fire…
— Grandpa Horford resists. If he was certainly dominated several times by Giannis Antetokounmpo in defense, “Big Al” also did an excellent job in attack. Jayson Tatum for a long time clumsy and Jaylen Brown hampered by fouls, the Dominican was the Celtics’ most reliable player offensively, showing very little waste and scoring baskets at the right times, from afar and close. A new mode match vintage for the interior of the C’s, immense in the last quarter (16 points!), when he had to fill the absence of Robert Williams in the racket as a bonus.
— Giannis Antetokounmpo, bestial mais battu. If he was not elected MVP 2022, the “Greek Freak” continues to demonstrate that he is not the best player in the world by chance. His choices are certainly not always ideal, especially when he decides to shoot 3-pts in first intention, but the franchise player of the Bucks clearly carries his team on his shoulders. The downside is that he was not properly supported last night. Dominant as possible without Robert Williams inside, especially in the second and third quarters, Antetokounmpo impressed, but Milwaukee capped. Quick Game 5…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Boston’s 4th Quarter. Victorious 43-28 (!) Of the last twelve minutes of this game, the Celtics overturned a mountain today. A Greek mountain, because until the start of the fourth quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family seemed untouchable and in control. Except that the balance of power was then reversed, with Al Horford then Jayson Tatum who planted 28 points at two (as much as Milwaukee!). Add to it important baskets from Marcus Smart, an insolent skill (84% on shots…) or a better defense on Antetokounmpo, and you get a small robbery for the C’s.
✅ Marcus Smart. On one leg (or almost), the Defender of the Year 2022 has been terribly valuable and heroic for the Celtics. In defense of course, to limit Jrue Holiday to 5/22 on the shot or to cause strong passes and loss of ball, but also in attack, to register capital baskets, exactly when necessary. On arrival, he finished with 18 points and 8 assists in 41 minutes, without spoiling anything (8/13 on shots, including 2/3 at 3-pts), priding himself above all on raising his level of play in attack after the break, especially in the last act (9 points).
✅ Brook Lopez. Without Robert Williams, the pivot of the Bucks (17 points, 7 rebounds) had much more space than usual in the paint and he did not fail to take advantage of it, to accumulate successes near the circle. He can in particular thank the excellent shifts of Jrue Holiday, clumsy but very inspired in the pass to water his interior balloons on alley-oop, but not only. Also interesting to protect his basket or to scrape offensive rebounds, Lopez therefore delivered a nice match, in the shadow of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
✅ Wes Matthews. Difficult not to underline the new beautiful performance of the veteran of the Bucks, author of 12 points, at 3/4 to 3-pts. Reliable on each side of the field, he mainly helped limit Jayson Tatum to just 6/18 on shots and 2/9 at 3-pts, in the first three quarters. Then the All-Star winger finally woke up, but Matthews just kept making his life harder, forcing him to take tough shots that eventually converted. Be that as it may, this performance is enough to delight the defending champions, who are still deprived of Khris Middleton and who therefore have every interest in having role players efficient.
⛔ Boston Fouls and Rebounds. For three quarters, we wondered how the Celtics could come away with anything other than a defeat, as they were unable to defend without making a mistake on the Bucks (25 in total) and to prevent them from gorging on the offensive rebound (13 in total, for 12 second chance points). Undoubtedly helped by the absence of Robert Williams, but also by a little generosity from the referees, the defending champions seemed sure of strength, in the wake of a Giannis Antetokounmpo yet not necessarily better supported than the All-Stars of the It’s.
⛔ Le « supporting cast » de Milwaukee. Precisely, the Bucks may regret not having had a real reliable second offensive option, behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. Without Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday thus always struggles to show regularity in shooting (5/22 on shots, including 1/6 at 3-pts…), which prevents him from having a productivity at 20-25 points like hoped. As a result, if Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen, Bobby Portis, Wes Matthews or Pat Connaughton are not particularly hot, no one is able to compensate for Middleton’s absence, especially in terms of his ball control.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 5 in the night from Wednesday to Thursday (01:00), on the side of Boston.
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