By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After a mediocre Game 3 in which he scored just 10 points, Jayson Tatum bounced back, and together with mighty Al Horford, they led Boston to the 116-108 win over the Milwaukee Bucks to tie the Eastern Conference semifinals to 2-2.
Horford finished the game with 30 points, a playoffs career-high, and also a season-high with 11/14 field goals, eight rebounds, and three assists. Tatum also added 30 points on 11/24 field goals, 13 rebounds, and five assists as the Celtics scored 43 points in the last quarter and shocked the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with a monster effort which translated to 34 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists, the Bucks led even by 11 points, but couldn’t hold on when Boston made their final push in the fourth quarter.
The Celtics tied the game when Horford capped a 10-0 run by driving the baseline and dunking while drawing a foul on Antetokounmpo with 9:51 left.
As Horford landed after completing his dunk, his left arm hit Antetokounmpo’s face, resulting in a technical foul. Jrue Holiday and Horford each sank free throws for a tied game at 81.
The Bucks regained the lead 94-92 when Antetokounmpo hit a driving layup and drew a foul on Horford with 6:02. But after Antetokounmpo missed the free throw, Horford started the 14-2 run that put the Celtics in control.
It all started way earlier, as Horford admitted when Giannis dunked on him and talked at him at the start of the second half. I didn’t make out what he said, but the way he looked at me didn’t sit well with me. That got me going”, said Horford after the game.
Marcus Smart with 18 points also made big plays down the stretch for the winning side, Jaylen Brown despite getting into early foul trouble scored also 18 points and the series returns to Boston. German big man Daniel Theis didn’t score and contributed one rebound and one assist for the Celtics.
Milwaukee finished the game with 10 rebounds advantage (48-38) but shot just 41,5% from the floor compared to 50% by the Celtics who missed injured big man Robert Williams. The Bucks played a seventh straight game without three-time All-Star forward Khris Middleton due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.