Without four of their regular five starters, the Boston Celtics fought hard in one of the most competitive games of the season before ultimately losing to the second-place Milwaukee Bucks in overtime, 131-125.
With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford all out, many assumed this game would be nothing more than a Tuesday night blowout. On the contrary, it had the feel of a playoff game. With three seconds left in regulation and the Celtics down by three, Sam Hauser was able to hit a clutch shot from beyond the arc in Khris Middleton's face to tie the game and force overtime.
Unfortunately for Boston, Jrue Holiday was unstoppable for the Bucks and had a career high in points, finishing the game with 40. He was 13-of-21 from the field, an impressive 8-of-12 from three, and had five rebounds, seven assists and three steals that wound up putting Milwaukee on top.
Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated as well, finishing the game with 36 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks. Antetokounmpo did have eight turnovers and was 11-of-19 from the free-throw line, but hit two clutch free throws to clinch the win.
Despite losing, this game should bring Celtics fans hope that this team at its lowest can still compete with a top team like the Bucks. The Celtics had five players with 15 or more points, and those five players all average fewer than 15 points per game for the season.
Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon stepped up to fill the shoes of Tatum and Brown and led the team in scoring. White, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, had 27 points and was 10-of-24 from the field. What was even more impressive was his ability to facilitate and lead the offense with a season-high 12 assists. Brogdon finished the game with 26 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the field, 2-of-6 from three and 8-of-9 from the line. Brogdon also had four rebounds and four assists.
Newly acquired center Mike Muscala was able to showcase to fans unfamiliar with his game that he wasn't just a part of meaningless trade. Muscala played 44 minutes and had 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting (3-of-10 from three) to go along with eight rebounds and a steal. His ability as a three-point shooter adds an additional threat that allows for Brogdon and White to get the matchups that they want due to court spacing.
Blake Griffin showed the world that when given minutes, he can still be a significant contributor. Griffin finished the game with 15 points and was 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-6 from three. Griffin also had six assists, six rebounds, one block and one steal.
Hauser also finished the game with 15 points, shooting 6-of-12 from the field and 3-of-8 from three. Hauser also had nine rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Despite the loss, this Boston team deserves credit for going to Milwaukee with heart and showing what Celtics basketball is all about: Teamwork. Interim head coach Joe Mazzulla is one of the most underrated coaches in the league and deserves credit for getting the team to believe in each other and buy in to the system despite not being anywhere close to 100 percent healthy. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens also deserves credit for acquiring players like White, Brogdon and Muscala.
Despite the loss, the Celtics should feel good about themselves after Tuesday night.
