By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Brad Stevens’ plan on containing Giannis Antetokounmpo worked on Sunday and led the Boston Celtics to a 112-90 win against the Milwaukee Bucks. The winning side rushed to 1-0 lead in the 2019 NBA Playoffs Quarterfinals best-of-seven series.
Kyrie Irving and Al Horford notched double-doubles. The 27-year-old point guard poured 26 points and dished 11 helpers. The Dominican center finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks all on Antetokounmpo. European contribution was limited to Daniel Theis’ four points and one block and Guerschon Yabusele’s one board.
Antetokounmpo, 24, sank three shots beyond the arc, but was only 4/16 inside the rainbow. His team-high 22 points wasn’t enough for a positive start in the series. Fellow Europeans Nikola Mirotic and Ersan Ilyasova knocked down 13 and 7 points, respectively. Injured Pau Gasol remained out.
The visitors started the game with a 21-10 run, but their decisive spurt came in the third quarter and resulted to a 21-point advantage. With the Greek Freak struggling to penetrate their defense, the Celtics comfortably held on for the “W”.