It’s a Wrap: Celtics Down Bucks to Secure East’s Top Seed
It wasn’t always pretty, but the Boston Celtics used a team-effort to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks to secure the East’s number-one seed.
Say it loud and say it proud: the Boston Celtics (53-29) will be the NBA’s number-one seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Already having secured their first Atlantic Division title since the 2011-12 season, the Celtics entered the night knowing a victory would get them the number one seed.
Down 86-85 with 8:47 left, the Celtics outscored the Bucks 27-8 the rest of the way, finishing with a convincing 112-94 win.
More from Boston Celtics
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Blake Griffin Angling Hard to Re-Sign With Celtics
- Game-by-Game Predictions for the Celtics’ 2023-24 In-Season Tournament Schedule
- Kristaps Porzingis’ Foot Injury is a Problem Despite Celtics’ Optimism
- Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Ime Udoka all Returning to Boston on 2023-24 Schedule
In a game going on at the same time in Cleveland, the Cavs lost to Toronto, meaning Boston would have secured the first seed even with a loss.
Six players scored in double figures for the Celtics, led by Gerald Green‘s 18. Green scored 12 in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Despite resting Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Tony Snell, and Matthew Dellavedova, Milwaukee gave Boston a game for three and half quarters.
The Bucks and their ‘B’ squad came out on fire, knocking down their first four shots and seven of nine overall. It was enough to stake them to an early 11-7 lead.
Boston’s Jae Crowder knocked down back-to-back 3’s to give the Celtics their first lead at 19-17 with 5:05 left in the first quarter.
Related Story: Boston Celtics: The Time for Playoff Mindset is Now
That was the last lead Boston would enjoy until the waning moments of the first-half. Milwaukee went on a 16-2 run to end the first quarter, leading Boston 36-25.
The Celtics were able to cut the lead to four early in the second. A 9-0 run, thanks to seven straight points from Spencer Hawes, gave Milwaukee their largest lead of the game at 52-39.
Boston responded with an 18-4 to close out the half. Isaiah Thomas, scoreless until the 2:16 mark of the second quarter, scored ten of Boston’s last 12 points, helping the Celtics take a 57-56 halftime lead.
Halftime adjustments
The two teams came out of the locker room cold through the first six minutes of the second half. A back and forth affair saw Boston shoot 25% in the early going. Both teams found a bit of a rhythm on the back half of the quarter, with Boston leading 80-78 heading into the fourth.
Amir Johnson and Crowder each added 16 points for Boston. Johnson knocked down both of his three-point attempts and pulled down five rebounds.
Thomas finished with 13 points and 8 assists.
Michael Beasley and Hawes led Milwaukee with 15 points apiece. The Bucks shot only 6-23 (26%) from three-point range and committed 17 turnovers.
Heading into the night, there were a handful of playoff scenarios in play for the Celtics. Both Chicago and Indiana won, meaning the Celtics will open the playoffs hosting the Bulls. Boston and Chicago split their season series, each winning two games.
Next: Bruins Will Handle Ottawa Senators
Congratulations to the Boston Celtics. Keep it locked in to Chowder and Champions for all of your Celtics playoff action.