I wasn’t all-in on the Bucks in Game 2 and they didn’t get off to the best start but the spot came through for our third cover in three NBA postseason plays.
It was absolutely the spot. Boston played hard at the outset but couldn’t do much more than get an early lead against a desperate Bucks team. It was just a matter of time before Milwaukee would get in front and then step on Boston’s neck, as evidenced in the second half.
Great for us to get the win as the series shifts to Boston, tied 1–1, because I love the Celtics in Game 3 when a lot of the public, for whatever reason, doesn’t seem to.
Preview
I like the Celtics’ defense in this spot. It has done a tremendous job on Giannis in the first two games and coming back home will only make it stronger in Game 3. Al Horford is as good as it gets to defend Giannis one-on-one and Boston has the luxury of secondary guys like Marcus Morris and Jaylen Brown who are pretty good, too. It’s also got great team defenders rotating and helping all over the floor. The Greek Freak hasn’t been able to dominate for any significant stretches of time in the first two games and has actually looked like a guy trying to do too much, an ominous sign for Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo isn’t selfish, the Bucks just don’t have many other options.
To me, of the two games we’ve seen, if you’re going to throw one out it’s Game 2 because of the spot and how well Milwaukee shot the three. Boston thoroughly dominated Game 1 on the road and kept things close in the first half of two. Now, it’s coming home and gets its first chance to adjust and respond to a loss. Remember, Boston won all three games on its home floor against Milwaukee in their postseason series a year ago.
There isn’t that much more to it. I believe in Stevens to make the necessary adjustments on offense, in Boston’s defense as the strongest side on either end of the floor, and the entire Celtics team leveling-up at home.
To me, Boston should be as big a favorite on its home floor as Milwaukee was on its.
Play: Boston -2
Al Horford • boston celtics • eastern conference playoffs • Game 3 • Giannis Antetokounmpo • Khris Middleton • Kyrie Irving • Milwaukee Bucks