On Thursday night, the Celtics will travel to Milwaukee to take on a team that could very well finish up in the Eastern Conference Finals. The previous two matchups between these clubs ended in a draw. The puck drops at Fiserv Forum at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Latest news on Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton
The hype surrounding Thursday’s matchup between the two best records in the NBA was somewhat muted by the Celtics’ loss to the short-handed Wizards on Tuesday, 130-111.
With six games left for both teams, Thursday’s game is not likely to determine who gets the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs (Celtics 52-24, Bucks 55-21).
Against the third-seeded Bucks, the second-seeded Celtics won Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals 109-81 last year at TD Garden.
After missing one game with a hip injury, Boston Celtics guard Jayson Tatum scored 28 points on his return on Tuesday.
Tatum scored at a high level, as usual, despite the Celtics’ terrible performance as a team, especially on defense.
With an average of 29.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.9 threes, and 1.0 steals per game in March, the 25-year-old has guided Boston to a 12-2 record, putting them in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Milwaukee.
Robert Williams III’s participation in Thursday’s game against the Bucks is in question, as reported by Taylor Snow of the Celtics’ official site. Williams III is still being evaluated for an injury to his right knee.
It is currently unknown whether Williams will be able to play in both of the Celtics’ upcoming back-to-back games.
Boston could use Blake Griffin, Luke Kornet, or Mike Muscala in his absence, though Al Horford would likely get more playing time at center.
Milwaukee blew up the Indiana Pacers, 149-136, on the road Wednesday to extend its lead over Boston. The Bucks were led by Jrue Holiday’s 51 point performance.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double with 38 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Antetokounmpo missed Monday’s game with a knee injury, but he returned to lead the team in rebounds, assists, and nearly scored 40 points.
Antetokounmpo has now had four triple-doubles this season, including two in his previous five games.
This Thursday’s game will feature three players ranked in the top 10 in the NBA in scoring: Giannis Antetokounmpo (5th, 31.2 ppg), Jayson Tatum (6th, 30.1), and Boston’s Jaylen Brown (9th, 26.8).
Khris Middleton sat out Wednesday’s game against the Pacers due to a knee injury, but he should be ready to play Thursday’s game against the Celtics.
The Celtics and Bucks have met twice this season, with each team winning on their opponent’s home court. Tatum scored 41 points on Christmas Day to lead the Celtics to a 139-118 home triumph, while Holiday’s 40 points sparked Milwaukee to a 131-125 overtime victory on Valentine’s Day.
Bucks injuries:
- Meyers Leonard (Calf) – Questionable
- Jae Crowder (Calf) – Questionable
- Khris Middleton (Knee) – Questionable
Celtics injuries:
- Payton Pritchard (Heel) – Questionable
- Grant Williams (Illness) – Questionable
- Robert Williams III (Knee) – Questionable
- Danilo Gallinari (Knee) – Out
