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There is plenty to be optimistic about following the Boston Celtics’ loss to the Milwaukee Bucks

By Michael James

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 21: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 21, 2019 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 21: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 21, 2019 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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There are no such things as moral victories, and no loss ever feels good, but there is plenty to be positive about after the Boston Celtics lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 98-97.

A loss is a loss, there are no two ways about it. But there is always more to take away from a regular season game and you’re telling on yourself if you don’t think the Celtics have plenty to be positive about after their loss to Milwaukee Thursday night.

In a game against the team with the best record in the East, on the road, and one in which Kyrie Irving couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn in the first half, they were in a position to win. They probably should have won, too. I won’t complain about a no-call on Marcus Morris, but more times than not the refs will catch a blatant hold like Khris Middleton’s.

So, what can we be optimistic about after this one? The first one was already mentioned. Irving had a rough shooting night, especially in the first half. It had a lot to do with the Celtics getting beat in the second quarter 33-25, leading to a 47-point halftime total for the Celtics. Their defense was excellent, but the offense struggled to hit shots, especially Irving. It had something to do with the Bucks defense, but it’s likely the Celtics were shaking off some rust from the All-Star break.

Celtics FG’s

Irving: 9-27

Horford: 8-21

Morris 4-12

Smart: 2-8

Rozier: 2-8

It’s rare the Celtics have almost all of their best shooters have terrible nights from the field, so they had to rely on their defense to keep them in the game. If they can get even one or two more players to not build a house of bricks they should be able to beat this Bucks team more times than not.

Another bright spot we’ve mentioned was the defense. The Bucks are 19th in the NBA in fewest turnovers, and the Celtics took advantage of that weak spot. Boston forced 16 turnovers and scored 14 points off of them. Marcus Smart was especially brilliant on the defensive end. From guarding every position on the floor to stopping a 3-on-1 fast break, Smart continues to make his case for an All-Defensive First Team selection.

So yes, the Celtics lost, and down the stretch of the regular season they will need every win they can get to secure the third seed in the East. But they played incredible defense on one of the NBA’s best offenses to wisthand terrible shooting nights from their most consistent outside threats, and at the end of the game they had a great chance to win. Unfortunately the play they called didn’t produce a bucket or what should have been a foul call, but you take what you can get.

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Everyone’s going to pinpoint the Celtics’ less than spectacular record if they continue to drop games, but if they continue to play a high level of basketball they’ll more likely hit their ceiling during the postseason. That’s the only thing that matters. Boston has the highest ceiling of any team in the East, and if they reach it, home court advantage doesn’t matter. It only takes one win on the road to flip home court in a series.

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