There’s not a question of whether or not Boston Celtics star guard Kyrie Irving can get his shot off anytime he wants. However, like any player, there are going to be times when the shots simply don’t fall.
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals was such a game for Irving, as the Celtics fell to the Bucks in a laugher. In Boston’s 123-102 loss, Irving only scored nine points on 4-18 shooting from the field and 1-5 shooting from three-point range (he didn’t shoot a single free throw). Irving had a few nice passes throughout the game but was far from the dominant force he’s been throughout the postseason.
A matchup featuring to league heavyweights, Boston routed Milwaukee in Game 1 to steal homecourt advantage. In that game, the Celtics’ defense was the primary catalyst for their victory, with their emphasis on preventing Giannis Antetokounmpo from charging towards the rim allowing them to hold the Greek Freak to 22 points on 7-21 shooting from the field.
However, as superstars do, Antetokounmpo would bounce back in Game 2, recording a double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds (as well as four assists and two steals). Most importantly for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo shot 7-16 from the field (including 2-4 from three) and shot 18 free throws (by far, a game-high).
Middleton too, was excellent in Game 2. The sharpshooter knocked down 10-18 field goal attempts, including 7-10 shooting from three-point range, on his way to recording 28 points and seven rebounds. Struggling with his handle allowed Boston to get a couple of turnovers (the Celtics had 17 points off of turnovers) but ultimately, a poor third quarter showing would cause their lead to unravel — and relatively quickly — in the second half.
Boston shot just 39.5 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from the field, as Jayson Tatum, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward all struggled to find the mark, going a combined 5-25 from the floor. Still, it’s possible that the team’s defense is what failed them.
Three Milwaukee starters reached the 20-point plateau (Eric Bledsoe scored 21 points on 7-12 shooting from the field and 3-5 shooting from three) and efficiently. The Celtics will need to come out with fire when they return to Boston for Game 3.
