Celtics Cruise To Victory Over Bucks
The Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 109-86, at TD Garden on Tuesday in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2021-22 NBA Playoffs. The series is now tied 1-1.
The Celtics knew they had to deliver a bounce-back performance compared to what they did in Game 1 of the series and did exactly that, slowing down Giannis Antetokounmpo and executing better on offense to secure a comfortable win before the series shifts to Milwaukee. Boston raced out to a 32-21 lead following the opening 12 minutes and didn’t have problems controlling the pace of the game the rest of the way, as the Celtics were always leading in double digits in the subsequent quarters. A 33-19 score in the second quarter allowed Boston to cruise their way in the final two quarters, and even though the Bucks showed fighting spirit with a 26-18 score in the third quarter, it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback. Instead, the Celtics outscored their rivals by a 26-20 score in the final 12 minutes of action to close the game out and even things up.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 30 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Jayson Tatum also had a strong game and finished with 29 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals. Robert Williams III had 10 points and five rebounds while adding two blocks, and Al Horford recorded 11 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block. Grant Williams shone off the bench with a 21-point, five-rebound performance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was Milwuakee’s best player by a wide margin and ended with 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Jrue Holiday had 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Bobby Portis ended with 13 points and eight rebounds. Pat Connaughton was the leading scorer off the bench for the Bucks thanks to his 13-point performance while logging 25 minutes.
The Celtics knew they had to deliver a bounce-back performance compared to what they did in Game 1 of the series and did exactly that, slowing down Giannis Antetokounmpo and executing better on offense to secure a comfortable win before the series shifts to Milwaukee. Boston raced out to a 32-21 lead following the opening 12 minutes and didn’t have problems controlling the pace of the game the rest of the way, as the Celtics were always leading in double digits in the subsequent quarters. A 33-19 score in the second quarter allowed Boston to cruise their way in the final two quarters, and even though the Bucks showed fighting spirit with a 26-18 score in the third quarter, it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback. Instead, the Celtics outscored their rivals by a 26-20 score in the final 12 minutes of action to close the game out and even things up.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 30 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Jayson Tatum also had a strong game and finished with 29 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals. Robert Williams III had 10 points and five rebounds while adding two blocks, and Al Horford recorded 11 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block. Grant Williams shone off the bench with a 21-point, five-rebound performance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was Milwuakee’s best player by a wide margin and ended with 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Jrue Holiday had 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Bobby Portis ended with 13 points and eight rebounds. Pat Connaughton was the leading scorer off the bench for the Bucks thanks to his 13-point performance while logging 25 minutes.
Grizzlies Come Up Clutch To Hold Off Warriors
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 106-101, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi Finals at FedEx Forum on Tuesday evening.
The Grizzlies got out to a good start and led, 33-25, after one quarter. The Warriors kept it close in the second, but the hosts stayed on top and carried a five-point lead into the break. The Warriors kept up the fight in the third and closed the quarter on a, 16-7, run to tie it up at 77, heading into the final frame. Both sides traded the lead early in the fourth, but the Grizzlies came up clutch and outscored the visitors, 8-2, in the final two minutes to secure the home win and tie the series at 1-1.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 47 points on 15-of-31 shooting, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Ziaire Williams followed up with 14 points and five rebounds, while Jaren Jackson added 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points on 11-of-25 shooting, nine rebounds, eight assists and a steal. Jordan Poole followed up with 20 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Andrew Wiggins added 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday in Golden State.
The Grizzlies got out to a good start and led, 33-25, after one quarter. The Warriors kept it close in the second, but the hosts stayed on top and carried a five-point lead into the break. The Warriors kept up the fight in the third and closed the quarter on a, 16-7, run to tie it up at 77, heading into the final frame. Both sides traded the lead early in the fourth, but the Grizzlies came up clutch and outscored the visitors, 8-2, in the final two minutes to secure the home win and tie the series at 1-1.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 47 points on 15-of-31 shooting, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Ziaire Williams followed up with 14 points and five rebounds, while Jaren Jackson added 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points on 11-of-25 shooting, nine rebounds, eight assists and a steal. Jordan Poole followed up with 20 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Andrew Wiggins added 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday in Golden State.