By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Boston Celtics’ chemistry proved to be too much for the struggling Milwaukee Bucks as the reigning defending champions outdueled them, 119-108, in a preview of a future Eastern Conference heavyweight playoff clash in the ongoing NBA regular season on October 29, 2024.
Six players for Boston reached the double-digit scoring mark, led by NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jaylen Brown who churned out 30 points built from an efficient 10/19 shooting from the field.
After a slow start in the first 12 minutes of the ball game, Brown flipped the switch in the second frame and hosted a personal offensive showcase that helped slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard’s scoring barrage in the first half.
Brown was unstoppable every time he put his head down in every aggressive drive and earned a total of 14 attempts from the free throw line, where he converted 10.
The athletic shooting guard made up for his disappointing shooting from the three-point line, where he went 0/4, and decided to generate most of his production from his drives and the perimeter.
However, it was backup point guard Payton Pritchard who stole the show for the Celtics after exploding for 28 markers.
Known to be a microwave scorer, Pritchard lived up to his moniker and already had 19 points in the first two quarters and was also a key member of Boston’s intangibles strength when he amassed five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Pritchard sucked the life out of the Bucks in the third where he led the Celtics to a momentum-clinching 37-26 turnaround, steering Boston to an eight-point cushion heading to the final quarter.
Boston maintained its firepower and received valuable production from Jrue Holiday and Derrick White after the duo took turns in locking up Lillard’s fiery scoring performance.
Despite Lillard’s 33-point outing and Antetokounmpo’s 30 markers, the Bucks still failed to find any answers to Boston’s collective effort on both ends of the floor.
Brook Lopez and Gary Trent were the only players to backstop the duo with double digits in scoring and the supporting cast only combined for 22 points until the end of the fourth.
With the win, the Celtics are still undefeated in four games and are looking for their fifth straight victory on October 31, 2024, against the Indiana Pacers.
On the other hand, the Bucks once again entered an early tight spot in the Eastern Conference as they suffered their third consecutive loss, dropping to a disappointing 1-3 win-loss record.
