Post Game - Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks - Tuesday, April 09 (L)

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401585776

The Celtics became the first team in league history to not shoot a free throw in a game. The Bucks only shot two. Apparently the officials had big plans after the game and wanted to get it over with quickly.

This game meant something to only one team.  That pretty much predicts the outcome in advance.

Without Z and Al we were spotting the Bucks 29 points, 13.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.  They won by 13 points, 11 rebounds and 1 block.  They needed to win this game, both to stop their losing streak but also to stave off Orlando who was 1 game behind them for 2nd place.  They accomplished their mission but in a very unimpressive way.  And this game would have been even closer if Brook Lopez hadn't started the game 3-3 from 3 in the first.  We gave up 37 points in the first 12 minutes, in part due to Lopez's hot outside shooting, but we won the next 36 minutes.  Not a good look for a Bucks fan looking for Doc to right his ship.


In fact, with the left calf strain to Giannis this game should give Bucks fans plenty more to worry about.  Not only did they deliver an underwhelming win against a significantly undermanned, and underperforming, likely playoff rival they now have to wait and see how long it takes Giannis' calf strain to heal.  Fortunately there was no injury to his tendons reported, it's just a strain, but he was clearly in pain limping to the locker room and the playoffs start next week.  This was a freak, non-contact injury to Giannis.  According to one source, a Grade 1 calf strain requires 10-12 days of rest before sports activities can be resumed, but a Grade 2 strain requires 6-8 weeks.  If this is a Grade 1 for Giannis that means he might miss the first game or two of the playoffs.  We should also keep in mind that Giannis is young, a world-class athlete and is receiving the best medical treatment available.  I would expect his return to be earlier rather than later UNLESS it is a Grade 2 strain. Then the Bucks might be looking at an early playoff exit.

https://www.nolasportsmedicine.com/blog/calf-strains-symptoms-and-management



Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
about 2 hours ago
️ POSTGAME POD 79 Not much to take from Celtics trip to Milwaukee … but did like Jaylen Brown’s defense on Giannis. NBA tracking: 0 points, 0-1 FG, 1 TO in 4:03 matchup time, 18.1 possessions.


Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
yesterday
A couple of odd notes from an odd night in Milwaukee... * The Celtics had been 25-1 when holding teams under 105 points. (Vs. Denver Jan. 10) * Only four times in 79 games have the Celtics given up 53% shooting. The Bucks now have three of those four games. (@ Chicago Mar. 23.)

Yeah, but were we down both our front line bigs in those games?  We overcame because our defense held the line and we have a high powered offense.  Our offense, without our #3 scorer was the issue.  A great example of how a simple stat doesn't reveal the truth, imo.








Bob


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What a strange game. As Will Jr stated the Celtics did not shoot a FT and the Bucks only shot 2. So history was made. Never been less FTs in a game EVER. I know the refs have been told to let some things go, but this is ridiculous. You want a tougher brand of basketball in the playoffs, but sometimes a foul is a foul. The league has to ask these refs some tough questions.

As for the game itself, you could see the Celtics lacked intensity. It has to be hard to play at a high level when you have nothing on the line. At least the starters got some reps and nobody got hurt. Can't say the same for Giannis, hope he's ok.

Well, with both KP and AH out, this game's outcome was sealed before it started. Joe just wanted to see if we could small ball MIL. Well, that didn't work. Duly noted.

What no one was expecting was the collapse of Giannis. If this plays out as Lillard describes a similar injury, Giannis will be out through the 1st round. It will be too late then. MIA or PHI will jump all over that and strangle the crapola out of MIL via Broomville.

Now, IND does have the tougher last two games vs. CLE and ATL. PHI and/or MIA has to win out and IND lose out their last two games as I believe I heard IND owns the TB for both. What I saw last night in MIA vs. ATL is MIA may be in trouble if they can barely beat ATL at home all sans Trae Young. Assuming PHI will shoot themselves in the foot and lose one of their last two games (ORL or BKN), it's PHI vs. MIA for 7/8. I'll take the resurgent PHI. Assuming Trae gets back and beats CHI, there's a real good chance we can avoid both PHI and MIA. I'll take our chances against ATL with Trae. "Playoff" Jimmy and MIA can go suck it. Give me a break.

db