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Boston Celtics: 1 stud and 1 dud from C’s down to the wire loss in Game 3

By Mark Nilon

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 07: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics is fouled by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Fiserv Forum on May 07, 2022 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 - MAY 07: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics is fouled by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Fiserv Forum on May 07, 2022 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 came into Saturday’s exhibition with numerous days of rest and rehabilitation since their triumphant Game 2 victory over the Bucks back on Tuesday on their home court.

Taking to the road and squaring off in Milwaukee, there were some who viewed Game 3 as a semi must-win for the C’s, as the defending champions managed to snag a win from the Jays and co. back in Boston, thus stealing the homecourt advantage away from the No. 2 seeded shamrocks on opening night.

A win during Saturday’s matinee could have been viewed as a way in which Ime Udoka’s squad could have reacquired the upper hand and, in turn, gone up 2-1 in this best-of-seven Semifinals series.

Unfortunately, things did not play out in this fashion, as Boston fell short of this feat, falling to the Bucks by a final score of 103-101.

How both team’s main stars in Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo played essentially paved the way for the final outcome of the contest, as the former couldn’t seem to find his groove on offense, putting up just 10 points on a putrid 21 percent shooting from the field, while the latter filled up the stat sheet with an incredible 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists on 53 percent shooting.

From faulty officiating (they were simply on another level) to lackluster shooting (converted on just 36.8 percent of their attempts from the floor and 27.3 percent from deep), the odds were stacked against Boston to actually pull out the come from behind victory despite the fact that they were able to take the lead with under two minutes to play in regulation (trailed by 13 heading into the final period).

The contest came down to a purposely-missed free throw by Marcus Smart in the last few seconds, where Al Horford‘s put-back attempt left his hands just a bit too late, as the clock struck zero before it was released into the air.

Now, the Boston Celtics are prepping for a Game 4 again in Wisconsin as they’ll look to tie up this series before bringing things back to the TD Garden.

We at HH, on the other hand, are still reminiscing on the down to the wire loss the team just endured and, with this, present to you 1 stud and 1 dud from the exhibition:

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