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The Boston Celtics Look to Take Control of the Semifinals in Milwaukee

By Rory Derderian

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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The Boston Celtics took game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a dominant win by 22 points over the Milwaukee Bucks. As game two approaches, will the Celtics take control before heading back to Beantown? Or will the Bucks put up a fight to make it a series?

With game one in the books, the Boston Celtics look to take control of the series Tuesday night in Milwaukee. The Celtics are riding a three game road winning streak and playing their best basketball of the season. People were shocked as to what transpired in the game Sunday, but not if you’re from Boston.

Over the last 20 years, if you’re from this region of the United States, you’ve grown accustomed to winning. This isn’t a cocky statement, it’s the truth. We’ve all seen Bill Belichick’s boring press conferences where he gives you nothing to work with. The “we’re on to Cincinnati” quote is ingrained in our DNA. When it comes to the playoffs, it is “we’re on to the next game” type of statement. No one’s comfortable until we’re raising a trophy and planning a parade.

Game one in Milwaukee was a beat down to say the least. The Bucks made a few runs, but it was basically over after the Celts went on their 17-3 run in the opening quarter and really never looked back. Pair that with the disappearance of everyone but Middleton and Antetokounmpo, and it was a recipe for a big home loss.

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On the post game show, Paul Pierce was quoted saying “it’s over.” And to piggyback on the statement above, us New Englanders don’t put the cart before the horse when it comes to the postseason. We know the Bucks still have Giannis and they’re still the number one overall seed in the playoffs. New Englanders may be loudmouths, but we’re smart fans that weren’t born yesterday.

If the Bucks are going to make this a series, someone else needs to step up and they need to find ways to get Giannis the ball away from Al Horford. Big Al played phenomenal defense on The Greek Freak all game, highlighted by the HUGE block in the third quarter that essentially took the air out of the arena.

Middleton hit a few early baskets, going 5-12 with 16 points. Antetokounmpo had a very quiet 22 and the other three starters went a combined 3-17 from the field. Is Terry Rozier still in Eric Bledsoe’s head? He looked lost out there the whole game. Sterling Brown was basically invisible and seven footer Brook Lopez sat on the three-point line the entire game, even though there was usually a smaller body on him that he could have taken advantage of in the post.

Mirotic got hot at one point connecting on three three pointers in the second quarter, and Hill had a decent game as well. Pat Connaughton couldn’t have hit the ocean if he was standing on the beach, shooting an ugly 2-10 from the field.

The Boston Celtics on the other hand, were clicking on all cylinders from the opening tip. Kyrie turned in another masterful performance with 26/7/11, which was his playoff high in assists. This was also the first time in his NBA postseason career he’s scored 25 points in a double-double effort. He and Al continued to kill Milwaukee on pick and pops, with Horford adding 20 and 11. It also seemed like every one of Horford’s field goal attempts were wide open.

Jaylen Brown added 19 points and the exclamation point of the game with a monstrous dunk over Giannis in the 4th to make it 90-74. Terry Rozier channeled “Scary Terry” and had 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Gordon Hayward continued to look more confident, adding 13 points (5-8 from the field). He made it look easy getting into the lane capitalizing on dribble hand-offs.

If the Celtics get any production from Jayson Tatum (2-7, 4 points) on Tuesday, it’s going to be an awfully tough series for the Bucks. With Boston stealing the home-court advantage with this win on the road, it will basically be an uphill battle for the Bucks moving forward. They’re going to have to make some changes and I wouldn’t be surprised if they go with Mirotic in the starting line up over Brown.

A big sign of championship mentality for the Celts was when Jaylen Brown was asked about his dunk over Giannis, he said “I didn’t want to flex because last time I got a tech.” He knows that it’s about winning. There’s no need to give the Bucks any additional motivation or locker room material.

Next. Celtics upsetting Milwaukee isn't that much of an upset. dark

Last series alone you had guys like Wesley Matthews going 2-8 from the field, but hitting a three and shooting a “bow and arrow” to celebrate. He then bricked a three and threw the ball out of bounds as the Celtics went on a 10-0 run in the final minute to steal the win in game two of their series versus the Pacers.

This series is far from over, but the Celtics are in the driver’s seat. They have the right mentality, depth and are playing their best basketball of the season at the right time. Milwaukee has to make some adjustment and Antetokounmpo probably needs to play 40 plus minutes for this game to be competitive and make it a series.

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