The Kuzma-Portis duo is on fire, the Bucks are cooling the Celtics

Between two teams with diametrically opposite dynamics, the logic of the moment was turned upside down. Les Bucksin the difficult and always deprived Giannis Antetokounmpooffered themselves a scalp des Celtics (116-101), which remained on five consecutive victories. A small setback for Boston, but a very good operation for Milwaukee in the standings.

The match started with a very quick tactical choice by Joe Mazzulla, who returned it Nehemiah Kueta on the bench after only two minutes of the game to move to the five without a real interior.

The pick immediately paid off with four 3-pointers and a 16-2 run scored in just over three minutes, especially driven by Jordan Walsh (8-21). Entering the game Bobby Portis changes everything for Milwaukee. The interior is everywhere, especially in the scoring (9 points on 4/4, 2 rebounds and 1 steal in five minutes) and leads his team back to the beginning of the playoffs: 19-7 for the Bucks and more than a point behind. Jailen Brown responded with seven points in the last 67 seconds of the first quarter to give the visitors an advantage in accordance with the course of the game (29-35).

Hot behind the arc lately, the Celtics are riding on their confidence from afar and will rebound with a new 23-9 finish Payton Pritchard to 3 points. Everything seems to be going well for Boston, even if Kyle Kuzma the temperature is seriously rising. The wing heats up with Brown, who commits three fouls almost in a row and has to return to the bench early. The Bucks come back, four lengths back, and it takes fresh 3-point shooting from Jordan Walsh, who was red-hot before the break (18 points on 7/7 shooting, including 3/3 from distance!) for the Celtics to hold a seven-point halftime lead (60-67).

The Celtics faded in the second half

But the very good address of the guests disappears in the second half. Kevin Porter Jrin a “triple-double” at the end of the third quarter, and Kyle Kuzma took advantage of the first 11-0 express to bring the two teams back to level (71-71).

Jaylen Brown moves the deadline a little, but the course of the match slips irreparably in favor of Milwaukee. Boston scored absolutely nothing and only scored a measly 13 points in the third quarter. And the return of Bobby Portis doesn’t help matters, the power forward brings endless energy every time he comes off the bench.

The Bucks smell a chance to score early in the fourth quarter, with Jaylen Brown breathing on the bench. Portis again holds on with two 3-point shots, and Ryan Rollins brings the home team’s lead to 14 points (98-84). Back on the floor, Jaylen Brown puts an end to offensive mismanagement from long range. But that is to see better Cole Anthony and the irresistible Portis matches him behind the arc. It’s too much for Joe Mazzula, who tops his entire starting five at 5’26”.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Kuzma – Portis, the perfect replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Without their star, the Bucks are struggling offensively. It took great performances from Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis to find the paint. Kyle Kuzma (31 points on 13/17) was outstanding throughout the game to initially limit the deficit and then allow Milwaukee to take the lead. Bobby Portis played the X factors, making every pass he made on the court with 27 points on 11/13 and 10 rebounds in just 27 minutes and one turnover to seal the hole for good in the fourth quarter. With a triple-double from Kevin Porter Jr. (18 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds), the Bucks regained their momentum offensively.

– The Celtics’ nightmare in the second period. But what happened during the break that Boston suddenly lost all of its shooting skills? From 23.11 to the triples on vacation, the guests had a series of 16 failures! 3/26 behind the arc in the second period a lot of pain, cumulative 6/36 Peyton Pritchard, Derrick White, Anfernee Simmons etc Sam Hauser (0/9 only) as much.

– Jordan Walsh continues the explosion of his son. The games go by, and the winger is more and more established as Joe Mazzula’s main player. 18 points on 100% shooting during the period, alone Nikola Jokic scored this season. He was more discreet when the Celtics were down, but still finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds including four offensive rebounds and 4 steals.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.