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Connaughton finished with 14 points – including 11 in the first period – 7 rebounds, 2 interceptions and one block.
The 26-year-old shooting goalkeeper, who was also selected in the 2014 MLB Draft, said he was proud to be able to use his athletics to influence the game other than by shooting. In the middle of the second quarter, for example, he attacked the Celtic striker Semi Ojeleye in a 3-point attempt – and even briefly celebrated the dismissal with a friend sitting on the side of the field.
"He has done it all year," said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer. "He has been a great contributor in so many ways."
Even before being selected 41st overall by the Nets in the 2015 NBA Draft, Connaughton had previously competed three times at the Garden Floor as a high school student at St. John's Prep in Danvers. When asked when he was looking for the Celtics, he played timidly and simply shrugged.
"I hope that in a few more wins, I can go back to the past and say that it was pretty cool," he said. "But at the end of the day, it's a business mindset that makes it important to know who is making the difference."
In his first season with the Bucks, Connaughton is posting a record average of 20.7 minutes per game, while he only starts two games of the season. But leaving the bench is of no importance to him. He added that he and his reserve compatriot, George Hill, were delighted to embody a "banquette" mentality every night.
"We try to make sure we bring in energy," Connaughton said. "We want to make sure we bring energy every night."
In Match 3 Friday, Connaughton and Hill alone took the lead on Boston bench, 35-16.
"Our entries have been good all year," said Hill, who was traded to the Bucks in December. "When I arrived here, we had to give them breaks. We must enter and change the game. "
That, they did it. After Connaughton kept the team afloat in the first half, Hill took the reins in second. Fifteen of his 21 points went to the third and fourth quarters, while he was helping the Bucks to take a double-digit lead. In a stretch at the end of the third, Hill scored 8 straight points, extending Milwaukee's lead to 11.
"The more aggressive he is, the better he is," said Budenholzer. "As coaches, we just have to keep pushing him and letting him know he has to be aggressive. He's better, his teammates are better when he plays this way. This has always been the case. He is a veteran. He has already been in these situations. He understands it and it shows.
"The guy is a veteran," echoed Connaughton. "It's a pro. No matter which of these adjectives you want to use to describe a phenomenal player in the NBA, that's what he does. He brings this expertise and experience with him. He is vocal. He's talking to guys. He makes sure everyone is ready, everyone is together. "
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