The first game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals was played on Sunday, April 28, 2019.  The Celtics won 112 – 90 in a surprise victory over the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference,  the Milwaukee Bucks.  The Bucks had the best record in the NBA and are led by one of the league MVP front-runners,  Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks opened up the game leading 10-3, but the Celtics went on a 13 point unanswered run.  The Celtics kept their foot on the pedal for the rest of the game.  The Bucks led again later in the second quarter, but this was for a short minute as the Celtics took the lead again before half.  This was the last time the Bucks held a lead in the game.  At half, the Celtics were leading 52-50.

After the half the Celtics went on a 9-0 run to lengthen the lead to double digits.  The Celtics led by as many as 23 points, winning by 22.  The Celtics starting squad out-shined the Bucks’s starters in a poor showing at home by the Bucks.

Key Takeaways from the game:

The Celtics played as a fluid team, with 25 assists on the day.  The ball movement by the squad was impressive.  If this way of play can be continued, the Celtics would be an unstoppable team.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was slowed in scoring by the Celtics’ defense.  When Giannis brought the ball up court, he was shown a 3 man zone defense.  This caused Giannis to often pass the ball instead of take it to the hoop.  This neutralized arguably one of the best players in the league.

Jaylen Brown dunked on Giannis.  Jaylen Brown dunked on the Greek Freak.  The best picture of the 2019 NBA playoffs.

Game 2 of the second round Celtics-Bucks match up will be played on Tuesday, also being held in Milwaukee.  The Celtics will host their first home game (game 3) on Friday in Boston.