The Boston Celtics were in a bit of trouble down 1-0 to the Milwaukee Bucks in their Eastern Conference Semifinal Playoff series, and playing without an injured Marcus Smart on Tuesday night. But Jaylen Brown and the Celts would respond. Brown scored 25 of his game high 30 points in the first half, as the green evened the series at 1-1 with a 109-86 Game 2 win at TD Garden. The series now shifts to Milwaukee for the next two games.
Boston, who was beaten quite handily in Game 1 despite only a 12 point difference, never trailed in Game 2. Brown scored 17 in the first quarter and was 9-10 from the floor (5-5 three-pointers) in the first half, bouncing back from a 4-13 shooting day for 12 points in the Game 1 loss on Sunday afternoon. The Celtics led 18-3 early and built it to 65-40 at halftime on 59% shooting. The lead went to as many as 26 in the third quarter, before Milwaukee would cut it all the way down to 12 with 4:30 left to play in the game. Boston went on a 13-4 run to cap off the win helped by three-pointers by Jayson Tatum and Grant Williams.
Brown shot 11-18 (6-10 three-pointers) in the win. He also added five rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Tatum finished with 29 points, eight assists, and three steals. Grant Williams was also huge in the absence of Smart, pouring in a career high 21 points (6-9 three-pointers). Al Horford contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Robert Williams III had 10 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 28 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Jrue Holiday who was huge in the Game 1 win for the Bucks played solidly once again with 19 points and seven assists. Boston hit 20 three-pointers on the night on 43 attempts (46.5%). Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday in Milwaukee at 3:30 p.m.
