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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 18:41:00 GMT -5
Game 2 Preview vs Milwaukee Bucksby Mateo AycardiBoston Celtics set for pivotal Game 2 vs Bucks
The Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 113-107 last Sunday at the TD Garden, as Al Horford and Terry Rozier propelled the Celtics to their first victory of the playoffs. Game 2, however, is set to be of monumental proportions. While the Celtics were able to somewhat contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, limiting him to 35 points overall on 52 percent shooting from the field, Boston’s approach to guarding the rest of Milwaukee’s roster will likely change heading into Tuesday’s matchup. Containing the Bucks ShootingAntetokounmpo is a transcendent talent. His ability to drive to the basket and throw down with a force only comparable to that of Russel Westbrook is quite remarkable. Boston’s biggest issue in Game 1, however, was clearly Khris Middleton. Marked by many to be a potential X-Factor in this series vs Boston, Middleton showed his entire arsenal on Sunday. He scored 31 points and hit over 71 percent of his three-point shots, and his late game heroics gave the Celtics an overtime scare. Not only did Middleton contribute offensively, his stat-line was quite extraordinary. He tallied 8 rebounds and 6 assists while leading his team with a +11 plus/minus. If the Celtics want to get a pivotal game two at the TD Garden, the key will be to contain Middleton and force someone else to hurt them from deep. What worked for BostonThere were a number of different factors that allowed Boston to come away with the first victory of this first round series. Al Horford‘s overall game was incredible. He tallied a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds on the night, and his contributions from the line while being guarded by one of the most physical defenders in the league was outstanding. There were also some outstanding performances from a number of different youngsters. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Rozier combined for 62 points on the night, while Brad Stevens raved about his young studs, especially Rozier in his first career playoff start. With around 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Rozier received the inbound pass from Tatum and proceeded to milk the clock. With 4 seconds to go, Rozier drove hard on Eric Bledsoe, and proceeded to cross over into a step-back three point jumper, giving Boston an emphatic lead before Middleton’s remarkable half-court heave. While Middleton is the Bucks’ X-Factor for the series, Rozier has the potential to be the X-Factors for the entirety of the playoffs. PredictionThe Celtics were very impressive in Game 1, but as NBC Sports’ Brian Scalabrine noted, the Celtics will come out with a very similar fire after their first playoff victory of the year. Brad Stevens won’t allow the Celtics to feel secure after just one win, especially after the way it unfolded. Expect the team to play hard and attack early and often. Should the Celtics come away with another victory, it will put them in prime position to steal a game on the road in their next two contests at Milwaukee. Prediction: Celtics 115 Bucks 108hardwoodhoudini.com/2018/04/17/boston-celtics-game-2-preview-vs-milwaukee-bucks/
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Post by puddin on Apr 17, 2018 18:53:18 GMT -5
Hubba, hubba.. The Bunion is feelin' it tonight. Early.... and often! Pud
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:02:18 GMT -5
I'm skeptical that Horford can duplicate his performance from Sunday's win. For that reason I'm hoping to see some zone defense forcing the Bucks to shoot more from the perimeter. Just as it will be tough for Big AL to duplicate his performance, it will be harder for the 23rd ranked 3pt-shooting Bucks team in the regular season to duplicate what they did from the perimeter again. www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/three-point-pctWhile the Bucks are 23rd and the C's 2nd on the three ... when it comes to 2pt-shooting their roles are reversed ... the Bucks are ranked 6th and the C's 25th! That may have something to do with Giannis scoring so much from the paint but are odds improve if we keep Middleton from scoring the three and Al can slow down Giannis in the paint. www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/two-point-pct
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:07:27 GMT -5
Let's get it on!!! I think the Bucks take this game unless Horford has another big/good game.
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:12:27 GMT -5
The Celtics need to stop Khris Middleton in Game 2Sean Waukewan
Before the Boston Celtics' vs. Milwaukee Buck's series started, many were preaching, including myself, that the Celtics' key to victory would be having the series's second best player. The mindset was that the best player in the series would undoubtedly be Giannis Antetokounmpo, and while he would possibly be able to be slowed down, stopping him would be out of the question. Any consistent help would make the Bucks the series's top dog. AP PhotoThat put targets on the backs of Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton, two borderline top-tier players who are averaging 15.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 20.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4 assists, respectively. If the Celtics could match up with them, then the Cs would be on their way to victory. If Bledsoe and Middleton weren't stopped, then the Cs would have trouble grabbing a W. It's a sound theory that should hold true throughout the first-round matchup. But in the series's first game, nothing went as predicted. Middleton ended up being the game's second best player, heck, maybe even the game's best, after dropping 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field and 5-of-7 from deep, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. But the Celtics still won. And the reason for Boston's win is one that can't be counted on going forward. While the Bucks had the game's two best players, who scored over thirty points each (Middleton and Antetokounmpo), the Celtics had the match's third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh best players, who each added at least 19 points-a-piece in a big Game 1 victory. The Celtics will need to play incredibly consistently for those type of efforts to come night in and night out, which certainly can't be relied upon from a rookie in his first playoffs, a second-year guy, and a third-year player. And that's no shot against Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, or Terry Rozier. They're studs, and will make grandstand names for themselves across the league in some time, but that time may not be quite yet. If each of these three play as well throughout these playoffs as they did during Game 1, then sure, the time may be now, but it's surely not something that is set in stone and that Cs' fans should count on. And let us not forget about Eric Bledsoe. He scored just 9 points on 33.3% shooting in Game 1, but he can't be counted out of the series. He's a guy who can do it all on the court, and he'll need to continuously be bested by Terry and Shane Larkin, who both played tight D on him in the series's first game. So basically, this is a reiteration article. The Celtics need to contain Giannis's two side-kicks if they want to win this series, because again, we can't expect five players in green to score twenty points each. It's just unrealistic. Tipoff for Game 2 is just under two-hours away. Both teams should have adjusted game plans heading into their second matchup. Let's go Celtics! www.celticslife.com/2018/04/the-celtics-need-to-stop-khris.html
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:12:32 GMT -5
Nice follow by Brown.
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:13:51 GMT -5
Refs gunna make Giannis a super-duper star tonight?
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:15:07 GMT -5
Al got hung up on that pick like superglue. Brown from 3!!!!!
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:15:19 GMT -5
Raps taking it to DC ... up 20 at half
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:15:40 GMT -5
C's gotta watch the foul trouble.
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:16:13 GMT -5
Tatum starting off cold.
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:16:58 GMT -5
everything Giannis is throwing up is going in. Geez...
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:17:45 GMT -5
Dumb play by Hanson gives C's the ball.
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:18:05 GMT -5
Baynes looked like he was having a nutty on the bench as Yabu takes his spot ...
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:18:20 GMT -5
Appearance by the dancing Bear
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:19:20 GMT -5
Yes the save and the THREE!
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:19:33 GMT -5
Finally, a foul against the Bucks
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:19:49 GMT -5
Tatum steals it ...
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:19:59 GMT -5
HUGE offensive board by Guerschon.
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:20:53 GMT -5
Tatum is ice cold... Brown for the LOUD left handed dunk on Zeller. Yeah baby!!!
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:20:54 GMT -5
Brown with the lefty slammer!
He's owning this Qtr ...
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:24:37 GMT -5
Morris has been OUTSTANDING!
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:25:31 GMT -5
Moose tracks ...
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 17, 2018 19:25:32 GMT -5
C"s playing aggressive. I'm lovin it...
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2018 19:26:13 GMT -5
Wow ... Al turned on the turbo for that one
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