With a 15-game cushion over second place in the Eastern Conference and the NBA’s best record secured, the Boston Celtics have little left to play for as the regular season draws to a close.
They played like it on Tuesday night against the Bucks, who are currently in second place. They lost 104-91 after trailing for the last 46 minutes of the game due to a poor performance that set up their second straight lopsided loss to Milwaukee this season.
Al Horford (toe) and Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring, rest) missed the game tonight, leaving the Celtics without their starting frontcourt.
While they were away, Jayson Tatum had a solid game with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, but for the most part of the game, the rotation seemed disjointed and uninspired.
One of six Bucks to score at least 12 points on the evening, Patrick Beverley, a trade deadline acquisition for Milwaukee, ignited the team with his finest scoring performance since joining the squad (20 points).
The Bucks had the early advantage in this one thanks to a hilariously hot start from Brook Lopez, who put the team on a 13-5 run to take a double-digit lead inside the first six minutes of action.
Lopez ignited a Milwaukee onslaught that had the Celtics reeling, making four of his first five three-point attempts. It was a start evocative of the team’s defeat of 135-102 in early January during their second meeting. The Bucks went into the second quarter ahead 37–21, having led by as many as 19 points and missing just five baskets.
