Bucks (11-10) at Celtics (18-4) Recreation #23 12/6/24 Untitled

The Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks for the third, and remaining, sport between these two groups this season. The Celtics received each of the earlier video games, successful 119-108 in Boston on October 28. In addition they received 113-107 in Milwaukee on November 10. These two groups tied the collection 2-2 final season with every crew successful 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 Jap Convention opponents. They received 7 straight earlier than a loss to the Cavaliers. They’ve received 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 street and 8-2 of their final 10 video games. They’re 9-9 in opposition to Jap Convention groups. They’d additionally received 7 video games in a row earlier than a loss to the Hawks of their final sport.

The Celtics are taking part in 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 arising following this one. The Detroit sport was added, together with a sport at Washington on the fifteenth after the Celtics didn’t advance within the Emirates Cup event. After the Wizards, the Celtics will face the Bulls in a house and residential collection earlier than taking part in 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 are performed in Boston.

Jayson Tatum and Jrue Vacation each sat our Wednesday’s sport in opposition to the Pistons. Vacation is not on the harm record however Tatum was listed as questionable as a result of proper patella tendinopathy. He has been upgraded to obtainable for this sport. Al Horford was questionable for this sport as a result of a sprained left massive toe however has additionally been upgraded to obtainable. Kristaps Porzingis was questionable for this sport as a result 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 seemingly be out. Marjon Beauchamp is questionable and will miss his third straight sport as a result of neck spasms. Giannis Antetokounmpo is possible for this sport as he offers with cope with 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

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
Al Horford (toe) obtainable
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) out
Jayson Tatum (knee) obtainable

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Possible Bucks Starters

Bucks Reserves
Pat Connaughton
AJ Inexperienced
AJ Johnson
Khris Middleton
Bobby Portis, Jr
Tyler Smith
Gary Trent, Jr
Delon Wright

Two Means Gamers
Liam Robbins
Ryan Rollins
Stanley Umude

Accidents/Out
Khris Middleton (ankle) possible
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) possible
MarJon Beauchamp (neck) questionable
Chris Livingston (ankle) questionable

Head Coach
Doc Rivers

Key Matchups

Jaylen Brown

Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photos
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Jaylen Brown vs Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.6 factors, 11.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per sport. He’s taking pictures 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 is going to seemingly be protection by committee on Giannis to attempt to hold him out of the paint and off the boards. It is going to be vital to stick with Giannis and attempt to restrict his scoring and rebounding.

Jrue Vacation

Picture by Dylan Buell/Getty Photos
Damian Lillard

Picture by Jeff Haynes/NBAE through Getty Photos

Jrue Vacation vs Damian Lillard
Lillard is averaging 25.9 factors, 4.4 rebounds, and seven.5 assists per sport. He’s taking pictures 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 pair of.5 steals per sport whereas taking pictures 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 might be able to exchange Jrue’s offense, however can’t come near changing his protection and his intangibles.

Honorable Point out
Kristaps Porzingis vs Brook Lopez
Lopez is averaging 11.9 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per sport. He his taking pictures 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 unsure who will sit and who will fill in in the event that they do.

Keys to the Recreation
Protection – Protection is at all times the largest key to successful. 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 in addition 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 tougher than the Bucks on protection and hold their concentrate on the defensive finish in order to not enable any simple baskets for the Bucks.

Rebound – Subsequent to protection, rebounding is at all times a giant key to successful. 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 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 need to combat tougher 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 start out season. Nevertheless, they’ve been taking part in significantly better in latest video games. Antetokounmpo and Lillard are very harmful and so they have some stable 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 in some unspecified time in the future. The Celtics have to offer max effort on the boards and on protection and so they have to offer that effort for the complete sport and never simply 2 quarters.

Transfer the Ball – When the Celtics hold the ball shifting each inside out and across the perimeter, they’re powerful to beat and the offense is dominant. However for some purpose, the Celtics go away from that once in a while and there may be much less motion and extra iso play. The Celtics need to hold the ball shifting to seek out the very best shot and the open man on each possession. When the ball stops shifting, they battle.

X-Components
Residence 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 further motivation. The Bucks are on the street 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 have to make the most of taking part in at dwelling and play with vitality and energy. The Celtics have 3 key gamers who’re questionable and if all or any of them can’t play, then the Celtics job will get harder and the keep prepared gamers have to step up their video games.

Teaching – The Bucks are coached by former Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who stop the Celtics after Pierce and Garnett have been traded as a result of he didn’t need to coach a rebuild. Since then, the Celtics have carried out 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 certain Doc might be further motivated to beat his former crew after dropping to them twice already, whereas Joe Mazzulla might be motivated as a result of he’s Psycho Joe and is simply further 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 crew 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 atrocious. Giannis appears to at all times get greater than his share of calls as he plows by gamers on his option to the ring, leaving our bodies in his wake. The Celtics need to play by 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 enable dangerous calls or no calls to remove their concentrate on the sport.

And ensure to take a look at CelticsBlog’s Playback stream for a stay dialog in regards to the sport. To take part, simply create a free account, join your LP sub when you’ve got it, and be part of our group.