Already assured of being qualified for the play-offs, the Boston Celtics continue to crush the Eastern Conference, now with 55 victories and 14 defeats on the clock. They hosted the Milwaukee Bucks on the night of Wednesday to Thursday – who follow them a long way in the standings (44-25) – and scored a seventh consecutive victory (122-119), the tenth at TD Garden.
Despite the absences of former Bucks Jrue Holiday (shoulder) and Sam Hauser (ankle), the Celtics mastered their subject, already leading by five points at the end of the first quarter (33-28). Their lead increased to 18 units (56-38) after six minutes in the second quarter and a three-pointer from Payton Pritchard, who signed a good come off the bench (19 points, 5 of 8 three-pointers, 6 rebounds, 3 assists).
A final rush in vain for the Bucks
Milwaukee came back well in the third quarter before conceding a 13-2 run which established the score at 86-70. It was 101-83 at the start of the final quarter, which the Bucks clearly dominated, in vain. Coming back to two points 32”2 seconds from the buzzer (116-114), they did not crack Boston, which held its lead thanks in particular to the solidity of Jaylen Brown on the free throw.
Jayson Tatum, 23 points in the first period, finished with 31 points and eight rebounds on the clock, helped by Derrick White (23 points, 8 rebounds), Jaylon Brown (21 points) and therefore Payton Pritchard. Opposite, while the Bucks still had to do without Giannis Antetokounmpo (thigh), Damian Lillard’s 32 points and Bobby Portis’ 24 points and 15 rebounds were not enough.
The Celtics are now expected on the night of Friday to Saturday in Detroit, penultimate in the Eastern Conference and beaten again last night by the Indiana Pacers (103-122). The Bucks will host the Brooklyn Nets next night.
