“ It wasn't a playoff game, but it was a special night. » Jayson Tatum was not the only one to have noticed that this new clash between his Celtics and the Bucks had a special flavor.
“ It's my eighth year, and those nights where you play against a really good team with special players, where the crowd is really involved, where the guys make the difference and feed off the energy of their teammates, the crowd and fans… The number of times we won matches in moments like that “, develops Celtics winger.
Yes, because for the third and last possible time in this regular season, his team won against one of its most serious competitors in the Eastern Conference in recent years. Despite their catastrophic start to the season, the Bucks, back in balance since (11v-11d) and in 6th place in the conference, were able to put up resistance to the reigning champions each time.
“ We haven't beaten them yet and we think we have a lot of room for improvement. We will improve a lot, and them too, a little, but us a lot. So yes, we hope to face them again far in the playoffs and we will see how it goes », Projects Doc Rivers.
The last two champions in the East
His team came very close to victory, notably before a decisive winning basket from Al Horford one minute and a half from the end, to give Boston a four-point lead.
An indecisive “money time”, stars there – Jayson Tatum (34 points), Jaylen Brown (25), Damian Lillard (31) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (30) – and intensity: all the ingredients were there for a big match. And playing Milwaukee always has a special flavor for the Celtics.
“ Yes, without a doubt. This is the case against certain teams, since JT's rookie year, we went until Game 7 against these guys. Year after year, both teams have had great success in the East, and it's different every time we play them. This is reality », Confirms Al Horford, thinking of this conference semi-final won (4-3) in 2022.
To see if the teams will cross paths again in the context of the final stages. Because the high ambitions of the Bucks are still relevant.
“ I'm not going to call it a moral victory, but it's a great team. We want to get back to the level where they were last year, they are also trying to get back to this level. So it's about giving our best and trying to be the best team. I don't care about anything else, really », Finishes Khris Middleton.
