The Bucks utilized their zone defense to orchestrate a 21-6 surge in the fourth quarter, turning what was once a comfortable lead for the Celtics into a tightly contested game.
In today’s NBA, no lead is considered safe, even for the team leading the standings and playing at home in TD Garden, where they’ve lost only three times this season. Despite holding a 21-point lead against the Milwaukee Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Boston Celtics found themselves in a tightly contested matchup as the visitors orchestrated a 21-6 run.
The Bucks’ strategy of deploying a zone defense proved effective in slowing down the Celtics’ offense and facilitating their comeback. Doc Rivers’ decision to implement this defensive scheme forced the Celtics to operate later in the shot clock, making it challenging to generate quality scoring opportunities.
Reflecting on their performance against the zone defense, Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 31 points, acknowledged that while they had some turnovers, they managed to create good looks. Tatum emphasized the importance of maintaining offensive efficiency, especially when struggling to get stops defensively.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla commended Tatum for his composure and decision-making against the Bucks’ zone defense, highlighting his ability to get to the free-throw line and find favorable scoring opportunities.
Jaylen Brown, who contributed 21 points in the victory, acknowledged that despite missing some open shots, they were able to exploit the Bucks’ zone defense effectively. Brown emphasized the need to match the physicality of opponents and adapt to officiating throughout the game.
As the Celtics prepare for the playoffs, the experience gained from close games like this one is invaluable. Mazzulla and Brown both emphasized the importance of defensive intensity and offensive cohesion throughout the game, highlighting the team’s ability to handle adversity and find ways to win.