Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks looked downright unbeatable during a 12-point victory in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.
Not so much in Game 2.
A desperate Boston team salvaged a split in the first two games at home with a 109-86 victory Tuesday. The Celtics wasted no time setting the tone while jumping out to a 25-point halftime lead and rode that cushion all the way to a win against a Bucks squad that looked “terrible” at times.
Myron Medcalf @MedcalfByESPN
I really don’t know what the Bucks can take or learn from this game. They look terrible. Get on the plane and get ready for Game 3.
Josiah Johnson @KingJosiah54
Bucks fans right now pic.twitter.com/ObMxoE6Jiz
Even without Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, the Celtics won the game with their early defense. Grant Williams and Al Horford in particular stood out as they formed a wall around the rim and bodied Giannis Antetokounmpo as he scored just five points on 2-of-12 shooting before halftime.
KENNY BEECHAM @KOT4Q
This is the worst half of basketball I’ve seen from Giannis
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Not sure I’ve seen anyone defend Giannis better in a half than Grant Williams just did.
Can’t believe I just typed that.
Marc D’Amico @Marc_DAmico
Grant Williams is a beast man. There are few players in the league who can handle Giannis’ strength. Grant is absolutely one of them.
buckets @buckets
giannis posting up grant williams today pic.twitter.com/8U7z7kc6WN
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
grant williams should ask and receive the max
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
The defense in this game is flat out incredible.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Tatum steal and slam 😤 pic.twitter.com/Xc0fW6Zhg6
The two-time MVP figured things out in the second half and finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, but it was Jaylen Brown’s star power that shone through when the game was still hanging in the balance in the early going.
He poured in 17 points in the first quarter alone on his way to 30 while dropping Grayson Allen to the ground and bouncing back from a 12-point and seven-turnover performance in Game 1.
LeBron James @KingJames
JB cooking!! And that was nasty 🤮🤮🤮
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
JAYLEN BROWN DROPS GRAYSON ALLEN 💀 pic.twitter.com/BxSvY4xlCl
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
⛸⛸⛸ pic.twitter.com/RuUViHUcbw
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo
Jaylen Brown’s 17 points in the 1st quarter are the most he has tallied in a quarter in his postseason career.
Brown’s 17 points and 6 made FG in the 1st quarter are more than he had in all of Game 1. pic.twitter.com/LWjwne70PW
StatMuse @statmuse
Jaylen Brown at the half:
25 PTS
9-10 FG
5-5 3PHe has more than double the threes the Bucks have as a team (2). pic.twitter.com/rnTeMksHMV
NBA @NBA
Jaylen Brown drains the 3 for his 25th point of the first half!
5/5 from deep for JB 🎯#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/n89uypMHwd
While the Celtics still lost home-court advantage by falling short in Game 1, they now have some momentum on their side as the series shifts to Milwaukee for Saturday’s Game 3.