Celtics Appreciative of Crunch-Time Reps vs. Bucks: 'Figure Out Ways to Win'

The Bucks' zone defense helped them stage a 21-6 run in the final frame as the Celtics went from leading comfortably to being in a tightly contested matchup.

No lead is safe in today's NBA. Even if the team atop the standings is playing at TD Garden, where they've only lost three times this season, and is leading by 21 points against a Milwaukee Bucks squad trying to overcome Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence.

The visitors staged a 21-6 run, turning what seemed like a game the Boston Celtics might comfortably cruise to the finish line into a tightly contested matchup.

One of the keys to the Bucks slowing down the hosts' offense and clawing their way back into the contest was Doc Rivers deploying a zone defense that had Boston operating later in the shot clock, making it more challenging to create quality looks.

After helping the C's fend off Milwaukee's rally in the final frame, Jayson Tatum, who finished with a team-high 31 points despite not logging a field goal attempt in the third quarter, shared his assessment of how they fared against the zone.

"It was one or two possessions where we might've lost the ball," said the five-time All-Star. "One time, KP (Kristaps Porzingis), threw it to where he thought D. White was, he relocated, (Porzingis) threw it out of bounds. But we got some good looks in that.

"I say it all the time: it's a make-or-miss league. We're not gonna make them all, but generating good shots. The toughest part was we weren't getting any stops and that was allowing them to set their defense. They got hot, made some shots, credit to them."

Tatum's head coach pointed to how the two-time All-NBA First Team selection handled the Bucks going to a zone defense, remaining calm, patient, and knowing when to strike as crucial factors in staving off the visitors' comeback attempt.

After praising his team for doing a great job of "organizing the spacing vs. the zone," Joe Mazzulla stated at the podium post-game, "I thought Jayson's poise down the stretch of getting to the free-throw line (and) getting to the spot that he wanted was a key to the game."

Jaylen Brown, who put 21 points on the board in Wednesday's 122-119 victory, voiced, "We got a bunch of open looks tonight that didn't go in, that, we play this team again, we'll be ready, and they'll go in, they'll drop.

"But I thought we picked apart their zone pretty well. We just have to match their physicality a little bit more and get used to how they're calling the game and the whistle. We feel like we're the better team, but if teams are trying to out-physical us, we've got to be ready to take on that night in and night out."

As the Celtics gear up for the playoffs, crunch-time reps are invaluable -- even when they come against an opponent playing without a two-time league MVP.

"It was good to be in one of those games," said Mazzulla. "Hadn't been in one in a little while there. A good learning experience. But I thought from start to finish, our defensive intensity was there, and our offensive connectivity was there, too, and I thought that kind of kept us (ahead) throughout the game."

Echoing that sentiment, Brown expressed, "There are gonna be games like that. There are gonna be games where you miss shots. There are gonna be games where it might not go your way, or the other team is making a ridiculous amount of shots, and you've got to figure out ways to win. And I thought we handled it well."

Further Reading

Derrick White Reflects on Basketball Journey, First Triple-Double: 'I Never Stopped'

Jaylen Brown Shares What's Fueling Career Year: 'Nothing in This World Gonna Break My Spirit'

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'