The Celtics are on the street for the second of three video games this season in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics beat them 119-108 in Boston on October 28. They’ll meet for a 3rd and last time in Boston on December 6. The collection was tied 2-2 final season with every staff profitable 2 video games at residence. The Celtics are 119-114 general all time in opposition to the Bucks, and they’re 43-74 in video games performed in Milwaukee.
The Celtics stood pat for probably the most half within the off season, bringing again their total core of gamers and shedding simply Svi Mykhailiuk and Oshae Brissett. They added Baylor Scheierman, who was the thirtieth decide within the draft and signed 2nd spherical decide, Anton Watson to a 2 method contract. They’ve one open roster spot. They’ve additionally added a few chips on their shoulder after Olympic snubs and different drama over the summer time.
The Bucks made a number of adjustments within the off season after a disappointing 49-33 end within the 2023-24 season. They parted methods with Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jae Crowder, Danilo Gallinari and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. They added veterans Taurean Prince, Gary Trent, Jr, and Delon Wright. In addition they added rookies AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith.
The Bucks have been alternating residence and street video games just lately. The Bucks performed at residence vs Cleveland after which on the street in opposition to Cleveland. They then returned residence to play the Jazz earlier than heading to New York to play the Knicks. And now they’re again residence to tackle the Celtics for the primary of three residence video games. They’ll host Toronto and Detroit earlier than heading out on the street to play the Hornets.
The Celtics have performed 6 out of 10 video games on the street to date. That they had a 4 recreation street journey that they completed 3-1 after which returned residence to play the Warriors and Nets earlier than heading out on the street as soon as once more to play the Bucks. After this recreation, they are going to return residence to play the Atlanta Hawks after which again on the street to play the Brooklyn Nets. Then again at residence for two video games in opposition to the Raptors and Cavaliers.
Jaylen Brown has been upgraded for this recreation from out to questionable after lacking the final 4 video games. I’m going to be optimistic and have included Jaylen within the beginning lineup. If he can’t play, Joe will seemingly begin the double large lineup once more. Luke Kornet is questionable with a hip damage and Jalen Springer is questionable with a knee damage. Lastly, Kristaps Porzingis stays out as he rehabs from ankle surgical procedure.
For the Bucks, Kris Middleton stays out as he rehabs from ankle surgical procedure. He has been cleared for 3 on 3 apply however has but to play 5 on 5. Gary Trent, Jr is questionable with again spasms and will likely be a recreation time determination. Andre Jackson, Jr, who was beginning in Trent’s spot can be questionable with a hip damage. If neither Trent or Jackson can play, then Pat Connaughton will seemingly begin. Lastly, Giannis Antetokounmpo is possible as he offers with patella tendinopathy.
Possible Celtics Starters
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Celtics ReservesLuke KornetPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanJaden SpringerXavier Tillman, SrJordan WalshSam Hauser
2 Manner PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonAnton Watson
Accidents/OutKristaps Porzingis (ankle) outJaylen Brown (hip) questionable Luke Kornet (hamstring) questionable Jaden Springer (knee) questionable
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible Bucks Starters
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Bucks ReservesMarJon BeauchampPat Connaughton Andre Jackson, JrAJ JohnsonChris Livingston Bobby Portis, JrTyler SmithDelon Wright
Two Manner Gamers Liam RobbinsRyan RollinsStanley Umude
Accidents/OutAJ Inexperienced (toe) possible Khris Middleton (ankle) out Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) possible
Head Coach Doc Rivers
Key Matchups
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Jaylen Brown
Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jaylen Brown vs Giannis AntetokounmpoAntetokounmpo is averaging 30.1 factors, 12.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per recreation. He’s taking pictures 60.5% from the sphere and hasn’t hit a 3 on the season. I’ve Jaylen Brown beginning right here however since he’s questionable, he could not play. If Brown is out, it should seemingly be Jayson Tatum beginning at small ahead as soon as once more. Will probably be vital to stick with Giannis and attempt to restrict his scoring and rebounding.
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Jrue Vacation
Photograph by Dylan Buell/Getty Photographs
Damian Lillard
Photograph by Jeff Haynes/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
Jrue Vacation vs Damian LillardLillard is averaging 27.3 factors, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per recreation. He’s taking pictures 46.0% from the sphere and 36.9% from past the arc. This one is private for Jrue, who was traded away from the Bucks to get Damian Lillard. Lillard might be able to substitute Jrue’s offense, however can’t come near changing his protection and his intangibles.
Honorable MentionAl Horford vs Brook LopezLopez is averaging 9.3 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per recreation. He his taking pictures 39.7% from the sphere and 26.2% from past the arc. As soon as once more, if Jaylen can’t play, Al will seemingly transfer to energy ahead whereas Neemias Queta or Xavier Tillman begins at middle.
Keys to the GameDefense – Protection is all the time the most important key to profitable. Protection actually does win championships. The Celtics have climbed to fifth with a defensive ranking of 108.7. The Bucks are twenty second with a defensive ranking of 115.7. The Celtics held the Bucks to 25.8% taking pictures from past the arc of their first assembly. The Celtics should work more durable than the Bucks on protection and hold their deal with the defensive finish in order to not permit any straightforward baskets for the Bucks.
Rebound – Subsequent to protection, rebounding is all the time an enormous key to profitable. As Pat Riley as soon as mentioned, “No rebounds, no rings.” The important thing to rebounding is effort and focus. They’ve been out rebounded in 6 out of 10 video games this season. They’re 5-0 once they out rebound or are tied with their opponents and simply 3-2 when they’re out rebounded. The Bucks are sixteenth with 43.7 rebounds per recreation whereas the Celtics are seventeenth with 43.6 rebounds per recreation. The Celtics should struggle more durable on this recreation to beat the Bucks to rebounds.
Don’t Underestimate the Bucks – The Bucks haven’t been taking part in nicely, going simply 2-7 to date this season. Nevertheless, the Bucks are nonetheless a rival within the Japanese Convention that has 2 excellent stars. Antetokounmpo and Lillard are very harmful and so they have some strong gamers round them. There’s a good chance that the Celtics will see them within the playoffs sooner or later. The Celtics have to present max effort on the boards and on protection and so they have to present that effort for all the recreation and never simply 2 quarters.
3 Level Taking pictures – The Celtics are first within the league, averaging 51.4 three pointers per recreation. They’re taking pictures 36% from the sphere as a staff from past the arc. In video games like Friday in opposition to the Nets, the Celtics struggled from past the arc and they also had to determine different methods to attain and so they needed to enhance their defensive effort till they may start hitting some 3’s once more. The Celtics must work to get open and transfer the ball to seek out the most effective photographs. If the three’s aren’t falling, they should take the ball inside.
X-Components On the Highway and Revenge – The Celtics are on the street and so may have the distractions of journey, being away from household, staying in accommodations, and taking part in in entrance of a hostile crowd. They should keep centered and never permit any of these distractions to remove from taking part in their recreation. Each staff provides their greatest to attempt to beat the Celtics and the Bucks may have extra motivation to get even for his or her loss earlier within the season.
Teaching – Doc Rivers coached the Celtics from 2004 till 2013 and give up when the Celtics traded Pierce and Garnett to begin a rebuild. The Celtics have had a comparatively quick rebuild and have been largely profitable since he left. Doc has struggled in every of his stops with the Clippers, 76ers and now the Bucks. Doc would love nothing greater than to beat his former staff whereas the Celtics would like to beat their former coach.
Officiating – The officiating can all the time be an x-factor. Some referees name the sport tight and others allow them to play. Some favor the house staff and others name it evenly. Some refs simply appear to have an agenda that doesn’t match the play on the courtroom. And generally the refs are merely dangerous. Giannis appears to all the time get greater than his share of calls as he plows via gamers on his method to the ring, leaving our bodies in his wake. He’s third with 10.3 free throws tried per recreation. The Celtics should play via nonetheless the refs name the sport, whether or not it’s tight or they allow them to play or they make horrible calls. The Celtics can’t permit dangerous calls or no calls to remove their deal with the sport.
