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"We had some ups and downs," said Irving, scoring 26 points with 11 assists and seven rebounds. "But I think we have an appreciation of the group we have. We spent at least two years together now. Everyone is healthy except Smarty [Marcus Smart, left oblique tear]. So, I think we have a good pace of expectations for each other. "
Irving played with his pedigree in the opening match, making difficult shots while preparing other Celtics to keep their team safe after the second quarter.
Milwaukee playmaker Eric Bledsoe finally found himself in a nightmarish afternoon: Boston goalkeeper Terry Rozier, defender of the first round last spring, still outclassed him. And Rozier did it on the bench, because Irving's dominance was retained as a Celtics star (after completely missing the 2018 playoffs).
Horford, meanwhile, seemed to come out of the machine to go back the way by posting prime numbers (20 points, 11 rebounds, three shots blocked) just five weeks from his 33rd birthday. He and Irving clicked on pick and roll over and over again.
And Horford was even better in defense, as the main defender against Antetokounmpo in a sagging defensive scheme that provided valuable help to the Bucks' most valuable player candidate. One for all, all for one, and the Celtics turned Antetokounmpo's personal playground (painting) into a no-fly zone. The Greek Freak made its biggest mark by hitting 3 of the 5 3 points; Otherwise, Antetokounmpo shot 4 of 16 and got his minus-24 for the match with a quarter to spare.
It's a bit more logical that Horford did not sweat in the regular season. Boston's coaches and medical staff had held him on a short leash, just to make him strong and available for such performances.
"For me, everything is so exacerbated [in the playoffs]Horford said, "The intensity of the fans … I just think that the level of focus increases considerably." For our group, it was something [we] had trouble with the regular season.
"Once the post-season has started, we all really [bought in]. Kyrie was in our ears even weeks before the end of the regular season … on how we should prepare and improve. I think all the guys understood what he was trying to tell us and found it. "
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he noticed an improvement in the last days of the regular schedule. Stevens even mentioned last week a home game against the Pacers at the end of March in which he finally saw the Celtics make fun. "Intentional play and targeted details," Stevens called.
This thing was ubiquitous Sunday, with a raging feast for a sold-out crowd at the Forum Fiserv who expected a lot more. Milwaukee was outclassed and outclassed in the paint and led only 58 seconds of the last 44 minutes of the match. They shot 34.8 percent, including 10-for-34 on 3 points by all perimeter players employed specifically to drive away Antetokounmpo's defenders.
Stevens started Marcus Morris, pulled Aron Baynes off the bench and got a solid game from Rozier and Gordon Hayward in reserve. In the end, the Celtics will also have to make room for Smart if this series or their post-season is long enough. At the moment, the situation is so copacetic that it should not bother anyone.
A good start in the series was considered essential for Boston to avoid fractures and quarrels. But in the end, the Celtics do not do that anymore and that's what fueled the first game.
All season, they spoke briskly about reversing the trend when they took part in the playoffs. And now, they seem to have done it.
Steve Aschburner has written on the NBA since 1980. You can send him an e-mail. here, find his archives here and follow him on Twitter.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.
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