Celtics retake home court advantage with victory over Milwaukee in Game 4.
With a 43-28 run in the last period, the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116-108 away from home and tied the Eastern Conference semifinal series at 2-2. Al Horford scored 16 of his 30 points in the fourth. decisive. Jayson Tatum made 12 and Marcus Smart, named the best defender of the year, added another 9. Heavy artillery even for the Bucks, who have the most efficient defense of the playoffs so far.
Tatum finished with 30 total points, as well as 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Smart had 18 points and 8 assists. Jaylen Brown contributed another 18. Boston started the last period behind on the scoreboard by 7 points, but imposed an avalanche in the final stretch. The team did not have center Robert Williams, with a right knee injury, but Al Horford more than made up for his absence in the paint.
On the other side, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists, but it wasn't enough. Brook Lopez collaborated with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Jrue Holiday with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. The team held off the Celtics as long as they could, but the defense wasn't able to sustain their level for the last 12 minutes. Khris Middleton remains out with a knee injury and will not return in this series.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 pm in Boston. Game 6 is guaranteed and will be back in Milwaukee on Friday. If there is a need for a Game 7, it takes place on Sunday at the Celtics' home. Whoever wins the series faces the winner of the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers, who are also tied 2-2.
Highlights
Bucks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 pts, 18 rebs, 5 asts)
- Brook Lopez (17 pts, 7 rebs)
- Jrue Holiday (16 pts, 7 rebs, 9 asts, 3 steals)
- Wesley Matthews (12 pts)
- Pat Connaughton (11 pts, 7 rebs)
Celtics
- Jayson Tatum (30 pts, 13 rebs, 5 asts)
- Al Horford (30 pts, 8 rebs, 5 baskets of three)
- Marcus Smart (18 pts, 8 asts)
- Jaylen Brown (18 pts)
- Derrick White (11 pts, 4 rebs)
Decisive statistics
Assistance
- Bucks 18
- Celtics 25
Turnovers
- Bucks 7
- Celtics 11
Points generated by turnovers
- Bucks 17
- Celtics 11
Points in the bottle
- Bucks 52
- Celtics 48
Second chance points
- Bucks 12
- Celtics 5
Transition points
- Bucks 13
- Celtics 16
Field shots
- Bucks 39/94 (41.5%)
- Celtics 42/84 (50%)
Three shots
- Bucks 9/27 (33.3%)
- Celtics 14/37 (37.8%)
Free throws
- Bucks 21/27 (77.8%)
- Celtics 18/20 (90%)