The Boston Celtics received the road win necessary to make Game 7 that all fans of basketball will be able to watch today.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum have swapped haymakers all through this series. There are many reasons to believe they will put on a show this afternoon.
The Celtics have a good-sized fan base at home. In order for Giannis to defend the Bucks’ title, he may need some help.
On Friday night, the Celtics started as a 5- or 5.5- point favored team. Not long after, the line settled at -5. The total began at 209.5 and by Saturday afternoon it fell at a steady rate to 206.5.
Halftime Score
Everything comes down to Game 7 between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Celtics. The series has been described as riveting as both teams traded wins in six games straight. They both have only one shot left to proceed to the Eastern Conference finals as the finale takes place today at TD Garden. Whoever wins will continue on and face the Miami Heat.
As of halftime, the Celtics were up by three against the Bucks. The score was 46-43. Tatum leads the team with 17 points. Antetokounmpa contributed 17 points to his team on top of seven assists and 12 rebounds in the first two-quarters of the game.
In a competition between Tatum and Antetokounmpo, they put in maximum effort in Game 6. However, the Celtics won 108-95 and evened the series, and managed to not get eliminated. Marcus Smart made a comeback after a tough Game 5 with a perfect performance that consisted of 21 points with no turnovers.
Tatums season has consisted of 46 points, four assists, and nine rebounds, whereas Antetokounmp’s has 44 points, six assists, and 20 rebounds.
Celtics Advantage and End Games
The Celtics will have the advantage of playing a home game. However, they have been almost flawless in ending games with a current number 8-1 under Mike Budenholzer. After missing three games due to a knee injury, Robert Williams is returning.
Tatum was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2017. He is from St. Lewis, Missouri, and went to Duke University. He has an average of 26.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 4.4 APG this season. He played for Duke in the 2016-17 season, which helped the Blue Devils get to the second round of the tournament for the NCAA. Tatum was chosen by the Celtics with the number three pick during the NBA Draft in 2017 as one of three players from Duke chosen in the first round.
Antetokounmp was drafted by the Bucks in 2013. He is from Athens, Greece. He has an average of 29.9 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and 5.8 APG this season.
Celtics won the game with a score of 109-81. This puts the Celtics at 4-3 and Bucks at 3-4.
Written by Marrissa Kay
Sources:
CBS Sports: Bucks vs. Celtics score: Live NBA playoff updates as Boston, defending champs battle for ECF berth in Game 7; by Michael Kaskey-Blomain
Fox Sports: Player Bio and Statistics
NBC Sports: Tatum pays tribute to Coach K before his final Duke home game vs. UNC; by Nick Goss
Covers: Bucks vs Celtics Game 7 Picks and Predictions: Giannis, Bucks Push Boston’s Game 7 Limits; by Douglas Farmer
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Erik Drost’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of GSankary’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
