Celtics Look to Run Away With Series in Milwaukee
By Oscar Heanue
The Boston Celtics will visit the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday. The Celtics currently lead the series, 1-0.
Boston (1-0) put its best foot forward in Game 1, earning a 112-90 win while limiting Milwaukee (0-1) to just 34.5 percent shooting. The Celtics' defense has been stifling throughout the postseason, and on Sunday, the team blocked an impressive 10 shots en route to victory. Al Horford supplied four of those blocks in addition to a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double. The All-Star veteran anchored the Celtics on the defensive end, holding likely MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 3-of-11 shooting on possessions in which they were matched up. On the other end, meanwhile, Kyrie Irving furnished 26 points and 11 assists, making it the highest-scoring playoff double-double of his career.
Marcus Smart (oblique) remains out for the Celtics, while Aron Baynes will be a game-time decision after exiting Game 1 with an ankle sprain.
For the Bucks, Game 1 was a nightmare scenario. After winning all four games against Detroit by double figures, the Bucks looked like a different team against Boston's tough defense in Game 1. Antetokounmpo shot just 7-of-21 from the field, though he did uncharacteristically knock down three three-pointers. Point guard Eric Bledsoe, who struggled against the Celtics in last years' playoffs, also disappointed, supplying only six points. Milwaukee had been able to come back from down 15 prior to halftime and entered the break with only a two-point deficit; however, the team could not deliver consistent offense and was outscored by 20 in the second half.
The Bucks will still be without Malcolm Brogdon (foot) for Game 2. Sterling Brown (back) is considered probable.
Boston (1-0) put its best foot forward in Game 1, earning a 112-90 win while limiting Milwaukee (0-1) to just 34.5 percent shooting. The Celtics' defense has been stifling throughout the postseason, and on Sunday, the team blocked an impressive 10 shots en route to victory. Al Horford supplied four of those blocks in addition to a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double. The All-Star veteran anchored the Celtics on the defensive end, holding likely MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 3-of-11 shooting on possessions in which they were matched up. On the other end, meanwhile, Kyrie Irving furnished 26 points and 11 assists, making it the highest-scoring playoff double-double of his career.
Marcus Smart (oblique) remains out for the Celtics, while Aron Baynes will be a game-time decision after exiting Game 1 with an ankle sprain.
For the Bucks, Game 1 was a nightmare scenario. After winning all four games against Detroit by double figures, the Bucks looked like a different team against Boston's tough defense in Game 1. Antetokounmpo shot just 7-of-21 from the field, though he did uncharacteristically knock down three three-pointers. Point guard Eric Bledsoe, who struggled against the Celtics in last years' playoffs, also disappointed, supplying only six points. Milwaukee had been able to come back from down 15 prior to halftime and entered the break with only a two-point deficit; however, the team could not deliver consistent offense and was outscored by 20 in the second half.
The Bucks will still be without Malcolm Brogdon (foot) for Game 2. Sterling Brown (back) is considered probable.
Warriors, Rockets Clash in Game 2
The Golden State Warriors will play host to the Houston Rockets in Tuesday's Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Sunday's Game 1 turned out to be a grind, and a controversial one at that. Despite both team's being known for their explosive offenses, the game was anything but high scoring, with the Rockets and Warriors combining to score just 204 points. While Golden State managed to escape with a 104-100 victory, the outing proved that this has the potential to be a long, grueling series.
Heading into Game 2, the main concern for the Warriors is going to be health, as both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were clearly hampered by ankle injuries in the first game of the series. The Splash Brothers combined to shoot 5-of-15 from behind the arc and 10-of-25 from the floor overall, and the duo combined to score just 31 points. Fortunately for them, Kevin Durant, as he has all postseason, was up for the task of carrying the offensive load with a game-high 35 points.
For the Rockets, it simply comes down to make open shots. For the most part, things went as the Rockets would have wanted it, but the team missed a lot of open, quality looks. As a team, Houston went just 14-of-47 (29.8 percent) from behind the arc, and while the number of threes is quite staggering, the Rockets were not forcing looks. They were just missing them. James Harden especially, who went 4-of-16 from three and 9-of-28 from the floor overall, will be looking to bounce back in what will almost certainly be a turning point in this series Tuesday.
Sunday's Game 1 turned out to be a grind, and a controversial one at that. Despite both team's being known for their explosive offenses, the game was anything but high scoring, with the Rockets and Warriors combining to score just 204 points. While Golden State managed to escape with a 104-100 victory, the outing proved that this has the potential to be a long, grueling series.
Heading into Game 2, the main concern for the Warriors is going to be health, as both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were clearly hampered by ankle injuries in the first game of the series. The Splash Brothers combined to shoot 5-of-15 from behind the arc and 10-of-25 from the floor overall, and the duo combined to score just 31 points. Fortunately for them, Kevin Durant, as he has all postseason, was up for the task of carrying the offensive load with a game-high 35 points.
For the Rockets, it simply comes down to make open shots. For the most part, things went as the Rockets would have wanted it, but the team missed a lot of open, quality looks. As a team, Houston went just 14-of-47 (29.8 percent) from behind the arc, and while the number of threes is quite staggering, the Rockets were not forcing looks. They were just missing them. James Harden especially, who went 4-of-16 from three and 9-of-28 from the floor overall, will be looking to bounce back in what will almost certainly be a turning point in this series Tuesday.