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Boston Celtics: Keys to a game 7 victory

By Lucio Vainesman

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 26: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics is introduced prior to Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 26, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 26: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics is introduced prior to Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 26, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Three keys to the Boston Celtics getting a game seven victory at TD Garden

In the first 6 games of this series, we saw the home team come away victorious. As the Boston Celtics come back home and prepare for what should be a thrilling game seven, the Milwaukee Bucks are also attempting to continue their hot shooting and slide on through to the next round. From games 1 to 6 we can see the recipe for success for our Celtics. Here are some keys to victory in this elimination game:

1) Hot shooting from Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier:

It is no mystery that without Kyrie Irving on the floor, the Celtics have struggled with putting the ball in the hoop. Morris and Rozier have found success with their, at times, erratic shot selection.

It is by no coincidence that in the Celtics’ three home victories, Rozier and Morris have been both efficient and clutch on the offensive side of the ball. Yet, in the three away losses, both Morris and Rozier had trouble getting any penetration or finishing the ball.

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2) Jaylen Brown has to get to the foul line (and makes his free-throws):

The difference maker in this series for Milwaukee hasn’t been Giannis Antetokounmpo or Khris Middleton – even though both have been amazing – rather, it has been Thon Maker. He has been a force to reckon with in the paint and has the ability to spread the court on offense for Milwaukee.

In game 6, a game that looked lost during the third quarter, the Celtics went on a big run when Maker had to sit due to foul trouble. It has become blatantly clear now that Maker is willing to bite on any pump fake.

When Brown puts his head down and charges to the hoop, where very few defenders in this league can match his athleticism, he will almost always get a whistle or have a chance to finish at the rim. Getting Maker in foul trouble is a key to this game and Brown has to force that issue.

3) Marcus Smart has to set the tone for the defense.

In five of the six games in this series the Bucks have shot for over 50 percent from the field. The one game they shot below happened to be the Celtics’ game five victory in the Garden, also happening to be Smarts’ first game back.

Next: Celtics need a signature game seven from Brown

Smart’s energy is infectious, as within the first seconds of him entering the game, he stole the ball from Giannis and then dove on it immediately. Then, he followed it up by swatting the Greek Freaks’ alley-oop attempt. Middleton has been lights out this series, and in order for the Celtics to close out this series, they need Smart to be Smart and disrupt Middleton’s flow.

 

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