The Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks for the third of 4 video games between these two groups this season. The Celtics gained the primary assembly 119-116 on November 22 in Boston. They misplaced the second sport 135-102 on January 11 in Milwaukee. They’ll meet as soon as extra in Milwaukee on April 9. The Celtics gained the collection 2-1 final season. They gained on Christmas Day in Boston and 1 sport in Milwaukee they usually misplaced one sport in Milwaukee.
The Celtics are first within the East, 10 video games forward of 2nd place Milwaukee, 11 video games forward of third place Cleveland, 13 video games forward of 4th place New York, 13.5 video games forward of fifth place Orlando and 16 video games forward of sixth place Philadelphia. They’re 31-3 at dwelling and 8-2 of their final 10 video games. They’re 35-7 towards Japanese Convention groups and have gained their final 6 video games.
The Bucks are 2nd within the East, 10 video games behind first place Boston, 1 sport forward of third place Cleveland, 3 video games forward of 4th place New York, 3.5 video games forward of fifth place Orlando and 6 video games forward of sixth place Philadelphia. They’re 17-17 on the highway and 7-3 of their final 10 video games. They’re 30-13 towards Japanese Convention groups and have gained their final 2 video games.
After a 3-2 highway journey, the Celtics performed one sport at dwelling towards the Suns after which went on the highway for a sport in Washington earlier than returning dwelling to face Detroit and Milwaukee. They’ll head out on a 6 sport highway journey by means of Detroit, Chicago, 2 video games in Atlanta, New Orleans and Charlotte. They’ll return dwelling for 3 video games towards Oklahoma Metropolis, Sacramento, and Portland. Then it’s one sport in Milwaukee earlier than ending the season at dwelling towards New York, Charlotte and Washington.
Milwaukee simply completed a 2-0 dwelling stand towards Philadelphia and Phoenix. After this sport on the highway, they return dwelling for 3 video games towards Brooklyn, Oklahoma Metropolis and the Los Angeles Lakers. They then play 3 on the highway towards New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington adopted by 5 extra video games at dwelling towards Memphis, Toronto, New York, Boston and Orlando. They end the season with video games on the highway towards Oklahoma Metropolis and Orlando.
I’m anticipating the Celtics to be at full power if in any respect attainable for this sport. Nonetheless, Jaylen Brown is on the damage report as questionable with a proper ankle sprain. Jrue Vacation can be listed as questionable with a proper shoulder contusion. Sam Hauser can be questionable resulting from a left ankle sprain. I might guess that Payton Pritchard would begin as soon as once more if Vacation can’t play. It’s attainable that Oshae Brissett would begin instead of Brown until Hauser was in a position to play.
Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Sunday’s win over Phoenix resulting from left hamstring tendinopathy. He reportedly practiced on each Monday and Tuesday however is listed as out for this sport. I might count on Bobby Portis, Jr to begin in his place if he’s unable to play. Chris Livingson (ankle) is questionable and Marjon Beauchamp (again) is obtainable.
Possible Celtics Starters
Celtics Reserves
Oshae Brissett
Sam Hauser
Luke Kornet
Svi Mykhailiuk
Payton Pritchard
Jordan Walsh
Xavier Tillman
Jaden Springer
2 Manner Gamers
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Neemias Queta
Accidents/Out
Jaylen Brown (ankle) questionable
Sam Hauser (ankle) questionable
Jrue Vacation (shoulder) questionable
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible Bucks Starters
Bucks Reserves
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Pat Connaughton
Jae Crowder
Danilo Gallinari
AJ Inexperienced
Andre Jackson, Jr
Two Manner Gamers
Jaylin Galloway
TyTy Washington, Jr
Ryan Rollins
Accidents/Out
MarJon Beauchamp (again) out there
Chris Livingston (ankle) questionable
Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) out
Head Coach
Doc Rivers
Key Matchups
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Jayson Tatum
Picture by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Pictures
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Bobby Portis, Jr
Picture by Rocky Widner/NBAE through Getty Pictures
Jayson Tatum vs Bobby Portis, Jr
With Giannis out, I’m guessing that Bobby Portis could get the beginning in his place. He’s averaging 13.4 factors, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per sport. He’s taking pictures 50.4% from the sector and 39.3% from past the arc. In opposition to Boston this season, he averaged 16 factors and 9.5 rebounds. He shot 54.2% from the sector and 83.3% from past the arc. In his final sport towards the Suns with out Giannis, he completed with 31 factors, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and three steals. He shot 65% from the sector and was 5-5 on three pointers. After all, Jae Crowder could begin however the important thing matchup would nonetheless be Portis.
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Jrue Vacation
Picture by Dylan Buell/Getty Pictures
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Damian Lillard
Picture by Jeff Haynes/NBAE through Getty Pictures
Jrue Vacation vs Damian Lillard
Lillard is averaging 24.4 factors, 4.4 rebounds, and seven.0 assists per sport. He’s taking pictures 42.5% from the sector and 35.4% from past the arc. In opposition to the Celtics this season, Lillard averaged 24 factors, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1 steal. He shot 47.2% from the sector and 33.3% from past the arc. The Celtics have to play Lillard tightly on protection to restrict his manufacturing since he’s the most important menace aside from Antetokounmpo. Jrue ought to have added incentive to beat his former group and the purpose guard who changed him.
Honorable Point out
Jaylen Brown vs Khris Middleton
Middleton is averaging 15 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists per sport. He’s taking pictures 48.8% from the sector and 38.1% from past the arc. In opposition to Boston this season he averaged 8.5 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal per sport. He shot 26.1% from the sector and 30% from past the arc. Middleton has missed 24 video games this season with numerous accidents. He has moved from 2nd star to third star with the addition of Lillard this season. Nonetheless, he’s nonetheless able to having an enormous sport and likes to beat the Celtics.
Keys to the Sport
Protection – Protection is at all times the most important key to successful. Protection actually does win championships. The Celtics are 2nd with a defensive score of 110.2. The Bucks have moved up from twenty second to sixteenth with a defensive score of 115.4 since Doc Rivers changed Adrian Griffin as coach. Of their January loss to the Bucks, the Celtics allowed the Bucks to shoot 56.5% from the sector and 42.9% from past the arc. They merely should do a greater job on protection on this sport. The Celtics should work more durable than the Bucks on protection and maintain their deal with the defensive finish in order to not permit any straightforward baskets for the Bucks.
Rebound – Subsequent to protection, rebounding is at all times an enormous key to successful. The important thing to rebounding is effort and focus. When the Celtics improve their rebounding effort, it often improves their play in different areas as nicely. The Bucks are thirteenth with 43.9 rebounds per sport whereas the Celtics are 1st with 46.9 rebounds per sport. Of their loss to the Bucks in January, the Celtics have been out-rebounded 54-31. The Celtics should battle more durable on this sport to beat the Bucks to rebounds.
Be Aggressive – The Celtics should be the extra aggressive group as a way to have an opportunity to beat the Bucks. They should be extra aggressive in going for unfastened balls and in crashing the boards. They should be extra aggressive on protection they usually should be aggressive in going to the basket and never settling for 3’s in the event that they aren’t falling. Usually the extra aggressive group will get extra calls. They’ll’t permit the Bucks to play more durable than them.
Most Effort for 48 Minutes – The Celtics are dealing with their closest rival within the Japanese Convention. They’ll seemingly meet them within the playoffs sooner or later. The Celtics effort of their loss in Milwaukee left a lot to be desired they usually can’t make that mistake once more on this one. They’ve to return out robust to begin the sport they usually should play with most effort all through the sport proper up till the ultimate buzzer.
X-Components
Dwelling Sport – The Celtics are dwelling for the second straight sport. They’ve the house crowd behind them to offer them additional motivation. The Bucks are on the highway, the place they’re 17-17 this season, and the place they’re confronted with the distractions of journey, lodge stays and a hostile crowd. The Celtics have had sooner or later off whereas the Bucks have had 2 days off. Hopefully the Celtics catch the Bucks with slightly rust. The Celtics have to make the most of enjoying at dwelling and defend their dwelling court docket.
Officiating – The officiating can at all times be an x-factor. Some referees name the sport tight and others allow them to play. Some favor the house group and others name it evenly. Some refs simply appear to have an agenda that doesn’t match the play on the court docket. And typically the refs are merely atrocious. Giannis appears to at all times get greater than his share of calls as he plows by means of gamers on his technique to the ring, leaving our bodies in his wake. The Celtics should play by means of nonetheless the refs name the sport, whether or not it’s tight or they allow them to play or they make horrible calls. The Celtics can’t permit dangerous calls or no calls to remove their deal with the sport.
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