The Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks for the third, and closing, sport between these two groups this season. The Celtics gained each of the earlier video games, profitable 119-108 in Boston on October 28. In addition they gained 113-107 in Milwaukee on November 10. These two groups tied the sequence 2-2 final season with every workforce profitable their 2 video games at dwelling.
The Celtics are 2nd within the East, 1.5 video games behind Cleveland and three video games forward of Orlando. They’re 9-2 at dwelling and 9-1 of their final 10 video games. They’re 16-3 in opposition to Japanese Convention opponents. They gained 7 straight earlier than a loss to the Cavaliers. They’ve gained their final 2 video games. The Cavaliers are in fifth place, 7.5 video games out of first place. They’re 3-6 on the highway and 8-2 of their final 10 video games. They’re 9-9 in opposition to Japanese Convention groups. They’d additionally gained 7 video games in a row earlier than a loss to the Hawks of their final sport.
The Celtics are enjoying within the third sport of a 5 sport dwelling stand. The Celtics beat the Warmth and the Pistons within the first two video games and can host Memphis and Detroit developing following this one. The Detroit sport was added, together with a sport at Washington on the fifteenth after the Celtics did not advance within the Emirates Cup event. After the Wizards, the Celtics will face the Bulls in a house and residential sequence earlier than enjoying at Orlando.
The Bucks journey to Brooklyn after this sport earlier than returning dwelling to face the Orlando Magic in a quarterfinals sport for the Emirates NBA Cup. Following that, the semifinals for the Cup might be performed in Vegas on December 12-17 and Milwaukee could or could not advance to play there. After the event, the Bucks will play at Cleveland on December 20 after which at dwelling vs Washington.
That is the primary of again to again video games for the Celtics and they’re going to host Marcus Sensible and the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday for the 2nd sport of the again to again set. The Celtics are 2-2 within the first of again to again video games and they’re 3-1 when the primary sport is at dwelling. The Celtics are 120-114 general all time in opposition to the Bucks and they’re 76-40 in video games which might be performed in Boston.
Jayson Tatum and Jrue Vacation each sat our Wednesday’s sport in opposition to the Pistons. Vacation is now not on the harm record however Tatum was listed as questionable because of proper patella tendinopathy. He has been upgraded to obtainable for this sport. Al Horford was questionable for this sport because of a sprained left huge toe however has additionally been upgraded to obtainable. Kristaps Porzingis was questionable for this sport because of left posterior tibialis tendon harm administration and has been dominated out. I count on that Porzingis will play on Saturday vs Memphis whereas Horford sits out.
For the Bucks, Chris Livingston is coping with an ankle harm and has been assigned to the G-League and can possible be out. Marjon Beauchamp is questionable and should miss his third straight sport because of neck spasms. Giannis Antetokounmpo is possible for this sport as he offers with take care of proper patella tendinopathy. Khris Middleton is anticipated to make his season debut on this sport after lacking the Bucks’ first 21 video games whereas recovering from bilateral ankle surgical procedures. I’m guessing that he’ll come off the bench and sure be on a minutes restriction.
Possible Celtics Starters
Grid View
Celtics ReservesLuke KornetPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanJaden SpringerXavier Tillman, SrJordan WalshSam Hauser
2 Method PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonAnton Watson
Accidents/OutAl Horford (toe) availableKristaps Porzingis (ankle) out Jayson Tatum (knee) obtainable
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible Bucks Starters
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Bucks ReservesPat ConnaughtonAJ Inexperienced AJ JohnsonKhris MiddletonBobby Portis, JrTyler SmithGary Trent, JrDelon Wright
Two Method Gamers Liam RobbinsRyan RollinsStanley Umude
Accidents/OutKhris Middleton (ankle) probableGiannis Antetokounmpo (knee) probableMarJon Beauchamp (neck) questionableChris Livingston (ankle) questionable
Head Coach Doc Rivers
Key Matchups
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Jaylen Brown
Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jaylen Brown vs Giannis AntetokounmpoAntetokounmpo is averaging 32.6 factors, 11.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per sport. He’s capturing 61.6% from the sphere and 21.4% from past the arc. Within the first two video games in opposition to Boston, Antetokounmpo averaged 36.5 factors, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per sport. He shot 59.2% from the sphere and 25.3% from past the arc. It can possible be protection by committee on Giannis to attempt to maintain him out of the paint and off the boards. It is going to be essential to stick with Giannis and attempt to restrict his scoring and rebounding.
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Jrue Vacation
Picture by Dylan Buell/Getty Pictures
Damian Lillard
Picture by Jeff Haynes/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
Jrue Vacation vs Damian LillardLillard is averaging 25.9 factors, 4.4 rebounds, and seven.5 assists per sport. He’s capturing 45.1% from the sphere and 37.7% from past the arc. Within the first 2 video games in opposition to the Celtics, Lillard averaged 23.5 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and a couple of.5 steals per sport whereas capturing 36.7% from the sphere and 18.8% from past the arc. This one is private for Jrue, who was traded away from the Bucks to get Damian Lillard. Lillard could possibly exchange Jrue’s offense, however can’t come near changing his protection and his intangibles.
Honorable MentionKristaps Porzingis vs Brook LopezLopez is averaging 11.9 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per sport. He his capturing 47.4% from the sphere and 36.0% from past the arc. Towards the Celtics this season, Lopez averaged 9.5 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per sport. As soon as once more, Porzingis could or could not sit this one out. I’m undecided who will sit and who will fill in in the event that they do.
Keys to the GameDefense – Protection is at all times the largest key to profitable. Protection actually does win championships. The Celtics are tenth with a defensive score of 110.5. The Bucks are thirteenth with a defensive score of 112.4. Towards the Pistons, the Celtics allowed them to shoot 51% from the sphere and likewise from past the arc. The Celtics should defend higher than that in the event that they hope to win in opposition to the Bucks. The Celtics should work more durable than the Bucks on protection and maintain their deal with the defensive finish in order to not permit any straightforward baskets for the Bucks.
Rebound – Subsequent to protection, rebounding is at all times a giant key to profitable. As Pat Riley as soon as stated, “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 11-0 once they out rebound or are tied with their opponents and simply 7-4 when they’re out rebounded. The Bucks are 18th with 43.1 rebounds per sport whereas the Celtics are 14th with 43.9 rebounds per sport. The Celtics must battle more durable on this sport to beat the Bucks to rebounds.
Don’t Underestimate the Bucks – The Bucks didn’t play effectively, going simply 2-7 to begin season. Nevertheless, they’ve been enjoying a lot better in latest video games. Antetokounmpo and Lillard are very harmful they usually have some strong gamers round them. In addition they count on to get Middleton again for this sport and that may give them a lift. There’s a good risk that the Celtics will see them within the playoffs sooner or later. The Celtics have to offer max effort on the boards and on protection they usually have to offer that effort for the complete sport and never simply 2 quarters.
Transfer the Ball – When the Celtics maintain the ball transferring each inside out and across the perimeter, they’re powerful to beat and the offense is dominant. However for some motive, the Celtics go away from that now and again and there’s much less motion and extra iso play. The Celtics must maintain the ball transferring to seek out the very best shot and the open man on each possession. When the ball stops transferring, they wrestle.
X-Components Dwelling Recreation and Accidents – The Celtics are dwelling as soon as once more for the third sport of a 5 sport dwelling stand. They’ve the house crowd behind them to offer them additional motivation. The Bucks are on the highway and have the distractions of journey and a hostile crowd. Nevertheless, they are going to be motivated by the return from harm of Khris Middleton. The Celtics must make the most of enjoying at dwelling and play with power and energy. The Celtics have 3 key gamers who’re questionable and if all or any of them can’t play, then the Celtics activity will get harder and the keep prepared gamers must step up their video games.
Teaching – The Bucks are coached by former Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who give up the Celtics after Pierce and Garnett have been traded as a result of he didn’t wish to coach a rebuild. Since then, the Celtics have completed nothing however win whereas Doc’s groups have struggled, despite the truth that he was teaching a number of stars at every cease. I’m positive Doc might be additional motivated to beat his former workforce after dropping to them twice already, whereas Joe Mazzulla might be motivated as a result of he’s Psycho Joe and is simply additional motivated to win each single sport.
Officiating – The officiating can at all times be an x-factor. Some referees name the sport tight and others allow them to play. Some favor the house workforce and others name it evenly. Some refs simply appear to have an agenda that doesn’t match the play on the courtroom. And typically the refs are merely atrocious. Giannis appears to at all times get greater than his share of calls as he plows by way of gamers on his strategy to the ring, leaving our bodies in his wake. The Celtics must play by way of nevertheless 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 unhealthy calls or no calls to remove their deal with the sport.
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