“Milwaukee is to be congratulated. They did a good job, their game plan was good and we missed a lot of open shots. says Jaylen Brown. “They hit us in the face, and we have to be ready for the next one. »
Same story at Al Horford, the best Celtic on Sunday night. “There are different levels in the playoffs, and clearly, they were at a different level from ours” recognizes the interior. “They did a very good job of getting into our players, preventing them from having easy positions, and getting in the way of the circle. That’s what made the difference, and Brook was very good at it. It’s no coincidence that they were NBA champions last year. It’s because they are able to reach that level on defense. Clearly, they were better than us in Game 1.”
“Their physical intensity took us out of the game”
While we expected the Celtics to put up a wall in front of Giannis Antetokounmpo, it was the Bucks who were the most effective in defending their basket. They forced Jayson Tatum and his teammates to shoot from long range (50 3-point shots!), and around Brook Lopez, the Bucks were outstanding at locking the racquet.
The Celtics are 10 of 31 in the key, and it’s been five years since a team was so clumsy near the circle in the playoffs. Their ten baskets are the second lowest total in playoff history!
« We obviously have to play with a little more control, and not rush » sorry Ime Udoka. “To score, we needed to penetrate several times, to touch the ball several times in the key, and that’s because they did a very good job. I also think Jaylen and Jayson didn’t have their best night on offense, and they missed shots that they usually take. All these elements combined obviously explain the numbers of the match. »
But not everything is to be thrown away according to Ime Udoka.
» I thought we defended well, and we keep them at 101 points. he recalls. “But we only scored 89 points, and the lack of penetrations and points in the racket are alarming. We know what they are worth in defense, but more than anything, their physical intensity took us out of the game. »
“We have to be the smartest team”
Now for Game 2 with the obligation to win to avoid going to Milwaukee with two losses. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who combined for an awful 32% on shots, have leads to counter the Bucks.
» We gotta be smarter “Estimates the first. » We have to be the smartest team. In this game, we weren’t the smartest. We will learn the lesson… We shot a lot from 3-pointers. There were some very good positions, but you have to keep in mind that this is what they are looking for. We have to find solutions. »
For his sidekick, you have to impose your game, and suffer less. » We were too reckless judge Jayson Tatum. » They are a physical team and a very good team. It won’t be easy, but we can’t let them outrun us like this. We need to be more determined on the ball, more incisive in the decisions we make. We have to execute better what we have to do, and not let them dictate things. »