Best in the Game, Best on TV
The Eastern Conference Semi-Final series between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks is the best of the second-round playoff games, and exactly what basketball needs right now. As someone who is both a fan of Giannis Antetokoumpo and riding on the Boston bandwagon, I love and hate the fact that the series is currently tied 2-2.
After fierce performances from both sides during game four, Boston managed to even the series and won with a final score of 116-108. Fierce is almost an understatement when it comes to describing this series, as it’s been one of competition, aggression, players stepping up, and stars being stars.
The Celtics, a well-rounded team both offensively and defensively, swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs (4-0). The combined stardom of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving was no match for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and both of them continue to shine even in the face of Giannis’ star power.
Tatum’s scoring has been a bit inconsistent in this series against Milwaukee, but he most recently scored 30 points in game four and was instrumental in securing the win for Boston. Brown scored 30 points in game two, but only 18 in game four. Marcus Smart, the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), has also been a critical piece of Boston’s success and scored 18 points in game four. He missed game two of the series due to an injury and is the first guard to win DPOY since Gary Payton won over two decades ago.
Tatum, Brown, and Smart are establishing their legacy in Boston without a doubt. But without Al Horford rising to the challenge in game four, Boston probably wouldn’t have been able to tie the series.
Horford, an NBA veteran in the same age range as LeBron James, Durant, and Chris Paul has yet to distinguish himself from the other NBA legends in his age group, a group which Steph Curry is also a part of, but his performance against Giannis may have changed that.
Horford scored 30 points in game three and was able to guard Giannis and foul him a few times, successfully smothering the center of the Bucks’ offense.
Horford (42) and Antetokounmpo (34) from ESPN
The “Greek Freak” himself scored 34 points against Boston and looked like he had the time of his life on the floor, even in a game that looked draining. Jrue Holiday, another player in his 30s, scored 16 points in game four and was a steady contributor for Milwaukee, but the bulk of the Bucks’ success seems to be Giannis’ responsibility.
This series seems more like one man defending his title against a full starting five and a scrappy Boston bench. The second half of the series continues with game five on Wednesday, March 11, and the rest of the Bucks team will need to step up and support Giannis against Boston’s momentum.
