Celtics at Bucks
The Boston Celtics delivered a stunning performance in the opener of the Eastern Conference semifinals and look to make it two straight wins over the host Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Fourth-seeded Boston frustrated Milwaukee MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and received a stellar performance from Al Horford while posting a commanding 112-90 victory in Game 1.
Horford had 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the 22-point triumph and led the charge against Antetokounmpo, who was just 7-of-21 shooting while scoring 22 points. “I just think that we came in very focused and locked in on the things that we wanted to do as a group,” Horford told reporters afterward. “We knew that we were going to have to play a very solid game. I felt like our focus level was good from the beginning.” The top-seeded Bucks shot just 34.8 percent from the field and looked nothing like the offensive juggernauts that averaged 121.8 points during the four-game, first-round sweep of the Detroit Pistons. "They were loading (the paint) a lot," Antetokounmpo told reporters after Game 1. "Lots of guys in the paint. Whenever I got in the paint, when I spin or try and change direction, the second guy was right there. If they are going to play like this the whole series, I have to be able to make the right pass, and trust my teammates to knock down shots."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE CELTICS: The 32-year-old Horford averaged 11 points and shot 36.1 percent from the field in a first-round sweep of the Indiana Pacers but he resembled his five-time All-Star form in the opener. "He was the Al Horford we all know and love," Boston small forward Gordon Hayward told reporters. "Knocking down shots, being able to space the floor, and also taking advantage of smaller guys in the post and around the rim. Defensively, he was all over the place. He really did a good job on Giannis. I thought our team for the most part did a good job on him." Point guard Kyrie Irving contributed 26 points and 11 assists in the opener and shooting guard Jaylen Brown scored 19 points.
ABOUT THE BUCKS: Milwaukee was stunned to be handled so easily on its home floor in Game 1 and knows it has to figure out how to get Antetokounmpo untracked if it wants to avoid heading to Boston with an 0-2 deficit. "Giannis, as great as he's been all year, he hasn't been perfect every night," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "He's hard on himself, so there will probably be some point where I put my arms around him and tell him, 'You're going to be great.' I think Giannis will play better, and we will work on some things between now and Tuesday." Star forward Khris Middeton contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists but the other three starters combined for just 12 points on 3-of-17 shooting.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Celtics SF Jayson Tatum scored four points on 2-of-7 shooting in Game 1 after averaging 19.3 points in the series against Indiana.
2. PG Eric Bledsoe, who scored in single digits three times in last season's seven-game, first-round series loss to Boston, had six points in Game 1.
3. Boston C-PF Aron Baynes (ankle) departed Game 1 and his availability for Tuesday isn't yet determined.