The Milwaukee Bucks, facing the top-ranked Boston Celtics, put on an exceptional show, marking their most dominant game of the 2023-24 NBA season and breaking out of a recent rough patch.
Giannis Antetokounmpo emphasized the importance of the Bucks playing with high intensity and focus, regardless of the opponent’s strength. This statement followed the Bucks’ impressive 135-102 victory over the Celtics on Thursday, which was only their second win in the last six games.
“There was a respect-slash-fear factor also that’s very important for this team, that we have to go out there and play at our best today,” Antetokounmpo said.
Bobby Portis and Antetokounmpo scored 20 consecutive points during a crucial first-half run, contributing to a massive 25-0 surge. The Bucks, with Jrue Holiday back in action, extended their lead to a staggering 43 points. Their 75-38 halftime lead was among the largest in the team’s history.
Antetokounmpo urged the team to maintain this level of performance consistently, not just against strong teams like the Celtics or following a rest period.
“Hopefully, we can keep this up not just against the Boston Celtics, not just when we have two days off or not when we have not played well,” Antetokounmpo said. “Even if we’ve played well and even if we’ve played bad, be able to come in the game and play with the same urgency and with the same focus and with the same energy.”
The Bucks’ win came after a disappointing 132-116 loss to the Utah Jazz, where they trailed by 31 at halftime. Meanwhile, the Celtics were playing back-to-back games, having defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-120 in overtime the previous night.
Milwaukee’s Malik Beasley shared that the team had a meeting post the Jazz game focusing on increasing effort and energy, which was evident in their latest performance.
“I think we did that,” Beasley said. “We came out and competed. I think the main thing for us, we came out physical. We hit first instead of getting hit.”
Portis finished with 28 points, and Antetokounmpo added 24, grabbing 12 rebounds each. Damian Lillard, back in Milwaukee’s lineup, contributed 21 points. Bucks coach Adrian Griffin praised the team’s response to the recent challenges, likening it to a champion’s comeback.
“I love the way we responded,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said. “We responded like champions today.”
Conversely, Boston, conceding their highest points this season, rested all starters in the second half, while Milwaukee benched theirs in the fourth quarter. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 21 points, and Sam Hauser added 15. After Oshae Brissett’s dunk brought the Celtics within eight points, they went scoreless for over six minutes, allowing the Bucks to extend their lead substantially.
“We just didn’t have it tonight,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “That can happen from time to time.”
Portis, overcoming a recent slump in 3-point shooting, made 5 of 6 from beyond the arc, contributing significantly to the Bucks’ win. Holiday, playing his first game in Milwaukee since his trade to the Celtics, scored six points and received a standing ovation during a tribute video.
“It was cool to kind of see that,” Holiday said “The fans here have always been great.”
Looking ahead, the Celtics will host the Houston Rockets, and the Bucks will face the Golden State Warriors, both games scheduled for Saturday.
