MILWAUKEE — The Boston Celtics dominated the Milwaukee Bucks 133-101 in an NBA matchday, powered by Jaylen Brown's 26 points and Jayson Tatum's 23 points, who nearly recorded a triple-double with 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Boston never trailed on the scoreboard and decided the game with a potent offensive start from three-point range.
The game was decided from the first quarter. The Boston Celtics started with enormous precision from beyond the arc and quickly punished the Milwaukee Bucks' defense. Boston made eight of their first nine three-pointers, which allowed them to open a considerable lead in the opening minutes of the game.
That explosive start translated into a 43-26 score at the end of the first quarter, the most points the Milwaukee Bucks had allowed in an opening period all season. With control of the pace and the scoreboard, the Celtics began managing their lead while maintaining a very fluid offense.
Jaylen Brown led the attack with 26 points, while Jayson Tatum delivered another very complete performance. The small forward finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, falling just one assist short of his second consecutive triple-double after achieving one in the previous game against Miami. Due to the large lead, Tatum didn't even play the fourth quarter.
The depth of Boston's rotation was also key in this NBA victory. Neemias Queta posted 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Derrick White added 17 points, Payton Pritchard contributed 16 and Sam Hauser added 13. Boston finished the game shooting 56.2% from the field and 17 of 37 from three-point range, an efficiency that completely overwhelmed Milwaukee.
For the Milwaukee Bucks, Taurean Prince was the leading scorer with 18 points, while Pete Nance recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, achieving the best rebounding total of his career.
The Bucks faced the game heavily impacted by injuries. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his tenth consecutive game due to a hyperextension of the left knee accompanied by a bone contusion. Additionally, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Ryan Rollins and Gary Trent Jr. were unable to participate due to injury.
With this Boston Celtics victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, Boston improved its record to 52-25 and remains 2.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks in the race for second place in the Eastern Conference, while sitting four games behind the leading Detroit Pistons.
The Milwaukee Bucks, heavily impacted by absences, continue trying to recover players in the final stretch of the season while seeking to stabilize their performance in the NBA's Eastern Conference.