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Milwaukee Bucks (37-38) at Boston Celtics (34-41)
Friday, April 3, 2015
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #76 – Home Game #39
TV: CSN-NE, FSN-WI, NBA-LP 755(DTV)/753(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WTMJ AM 620
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Probable StartersPG
SG
SF
PF
C
Marcus Smart...Avery Bradley...Evan Turner...Brandon Bass...Tyler Zeller
Celtics ReservesGerald Wallace
Jae Crowder
James Young
Phil Pressey
Shavlik Randolph
Isaiah Thomas
Jonas Jerebko
Gigi Datome
Kelly Olynyk
InjuriesJared Sullinger (foot) Probable
Kelly Olynyk (eye) probable
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Probable Starters
PG
SG
SF
PF
C
Michael Carter-Williams...Khris Middleton...Giannis Antetokounmpo...Ersan Ilyasova...Zaza Pachulia
Bucks Reserves Jerryd Bayless
Tyler Ennis
Jared Dudley
John Henson
OJ Mayo
Johnny O'Bryant
Miles Plumlee
Injuries Damon Inglis (ankle) out
Jabari Parker (knee) out
Head CoachJason Kidd
Game NotesThe Celtics continue their playoff push as they host the Milwaukee Bucks. This is the second of 3 meetings between these two teams this season. The Bucks won the first meeting in February 96-93. The third and last game will be on April 15.
The Bucks currently occupy the 6th seed in the East, 3 games ahead of the Celtics and 2.5 games ahead of both Miami and Brooklyn. The Celtics are 1/2 game behind the Nets and Heat for the 7th and 8th spots. Charlotte is 1.5 games behind the Celtics. For those keeping an eye on these teams, Charlotte is at Indiana and Toronto is at Brooklyn.
Both teams made moves at the trade deadline and so both have changed somewhat since that first meeting in February. Michael Carter_Williams has replaced Brandon Knight as the starting point guard. The Celtics also had a healthy Jared Sullinger in that game and didn't have Isaiah Thomas, Jonas Jerebko and Gigi Datome as sparkplugs off the bench. They also didn't have Kelly Olynyk, who was out with the ankle injury.
The Bucks are winless in their last 11 road games and are 6-12 since Carter-Williams was added to the starting lineup. Evan Turner and Carter-Williams were teammates on the Sixers for the first part of last year. The Bucks have won the last 3 games between these two teams. This will be the first game back in Boston for former Celtic Jerryd Bayless, who signed with the Bucks as a free agent this off season.
Key Matchups 
vs
Marcus Smart vs Michael Carter-Williams
Carter-Williams is averaging 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists for the season. He has had 3 triple doubles this season, but all before the trade to Milwaukee. He is coming off a game with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a win on Wednesday. At 6'6", the presents a matchup problem for many teams at the point. Evan Turner may guard him if Smart can't keep him in check.
vs
Evan Turner vs Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak, as Antetokounmpo is called, has been playing very well and will be a challenge for Evan Turner. He is averaging 12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists and is tough to matchup with on both ends of the court. Turner needs to keep him in check as much as possible.
Honorable Mention Avery Bradley vs Khris Middleton
There have been rumors that the Celtics may target Middleton as a free agent this off season. He is averaging 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists and has been playing very well this season. Hopefully he won't have a big game to audition for the Celtics.
Keys to the Game Run and Move the Ball - The Celtics play so well when they run and keep up a fast pace throughout the game. When they slow it down, they get into trouble. The also have to move the ball and find the open man. When they start over dribbling and try to do too much individually, they struggle.
Take Care of the Ball - The Celtics at times get careless with the ball and turnovers can bury them. The Celtics have to take care of the ball and not give the Bucks easy points off turnovers.
Rebound - Rebounding is mostly effort and desire and the Celtics need to have both and they need to crash the boards as a team. They play best when the guards, along with the front line, go after every rebound.
Attack the Paint - At times the Celtics love the jumper and 3 point shots a bit too much. When they fall, it's great. But, when they don't fall, it can get ugly. The Celtics are playing in their 4th game in 6 nights and may not have the legs for jumpers at the end. If they aren't falling, they need to get into the paint and drive to the hoop. Also, the Bucks have defended the 3 quite well recently and in their win over the Bulls on Wednesday, they held the Bulls to 5 of 26 (19.2%) from beyond the arc. If the jumpers aren't falling, they need to get into the paint.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics need to be aggressive on defense, in going after loose balls and rebounds, and in driving to the hoop. They have to be the team that plays harder and wants the win more. They were the more aggressive team in their last 2 games and need to keep up that aggressiveness in this game.
Defense - Defense is always the key to winning. The Celtics have got to concentrate on getting stops and on defending the Bucks in the paint as well as on the perimeter. As Brad Stevens said, they need to have a defensive DNA and play tough team defense for 48 minutes.
Start Strong and Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics must get off to a good start and not dig a hole that they may or may not be able to climb out of. They have to start strong and then not let up until the final buzzer. They can't afford any let ups.
X-Factors
Motivation and Home With the playoffs as motivation, the Celtics have to play with energy and effort. If they truly want to make the playoffs, they have to be the team that wants it more for the whole game. They are also at home and so need to feed off the energy of the crowd.
Topic: Bucks (37-38) at Celtics (34-41) Game #76 4/3/15 (Read 49559 times)