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 are going to meet for a 3rd and remaining time in Boston on December 6. The sequence was tied 2-2 final season with every staff profitable 2 video games at residence. The Celtics are 119-114 total all time in opposition to the Bucks, and they’re 43-74 in video games performed in Milwaukee.
The Celtics stood pat for essentially the most half within the off season, bringing again their complete core of gamers and dropping simply Svi Mykhailiuk and Oshae Brissett. They added Baylor Scheierman, who was the thirtieth choose within the draft and signed 2nd spherical choose, Anton Watson to a 2 means 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 season.
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 are going to 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 thus far. That they had a 4 sport 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 sport, they’ll 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 sport 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 huge 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 can be a sport 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
Celtics Reserves
Luke Kornet
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Baylor Scheierman
Jaden Springer
Xavier Tillman, Sr
Jordan Walsh
Sam Hauser
2 Means Gamers
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Anton Watson
Accidents/Out
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) out
Jaylen Brown (hip) questionable
Luke Kornet (hamstring) questionable
Jaden Springer (knee) questionable
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible Bucks Starters
Bucks Reserves
MarJon Beauchamp
Pat Connaughton
Andre Jackson, Jr
AJ Johnson
Chris Livingston
Bobby Portis, Jr
Tyler Smith
Delon Wright
Two Means Gamers
Liam Robbins
Ryan Rollins
Stanley Umude
Accidents/Out
AJ Inexperienced (toe) possible
Khris Middleton (ankle) out
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) possible
Head Coach
Doc Rivers
Key Matchups
Jaylen Brown vs Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.1 factors, 12.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per sport. He’s capturing 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 might not play. If Brown is out, it is going to seemingly be Jayson Tatum beginning at small ahead as soon as once more. It is going to be necessary to stick with Giannis and attempt to restrict his scoring and rebounding.
Jrue Vacation vs Damian Lillard
Lillard is averaging 27.3 factors, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per sport. He’s capturing 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 could possibly exchange Jrue’s offense, however can’t come near changing his protection and his intangibles.
Honorable Point out
Al Horford vs Brook Lopez
Lopez is averaging 9.3 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per sport. He his capturing 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 Sport
Protection – 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% capturing from past the arc of their first assembly. The Celtics should work tougher than the Bucks on protection and hold their concentrate on the defensive finish in order to not permit any straightforward baskets for the Bucks.
Rebound – Subsequent to protection, rebounding is all the time a giant 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 after 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 sport whereas the Celtics are seventeenth with 43.6 rebounds per sport. The Celtics must struggle tougher on this sport to beat the Bucks to rebounds.
Don’t Underestimate the Bucks – The Bucks haven’t been taking part in nicely, going simply 2-7 thus far this season. Nonetheless, the Bucks are nonetheless a rival within the Jap Convention that has 2 excellent stars. Antetokounmpo and Lillard are very harmful they usually have some strong gamers round them. There’s a good chance that the Celtics will see them within the playoffs in some unspecified time in the future. The Celtics have to offer max effort on the boards and on protection they usually have to offer that effort for all the sport and never simply 2 quarters.
3 Level Capturing – The Celtics are first within the league, averaging 51.4 three pointers per sport. They’re capturing 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 they usually needed to improve 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 pictures. If the three’s aren’t falling, they should take the ball inside.
X-Elements
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 sport. Each staff offers their finest 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 court docket. And typically the refs are merely unhealthy. Giannis appears to all the time get greater than his share of calls as he plows by way of gamers on his method to the ring, leaving our bodies in his wake. He’s third with 10.3 free throws tried per sport. The Celtics must play by way of 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 unhealthy calls or no calls to remove their concentrate on the sport.