There was a battle of NBA heavyweights scheduled on Thursday, as the 2 high groups within the Jap Convention had been set to sq. off. The Boston Celtics had been on the second night time of a back-to-back, and their fatigue confirmed early because the Milwaukee Bucks had probably the most dominant first half that we’ve seen from any staff up to now this season.
Bucks Soar Out To Most Dominant First Half Of NBA Season
The Bucks outscored the Celtics by 37 factors within the first half 😱 pic.twitter.com/mGsSQpJc7h
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBet) January 12, 2024
The primary six minutes began out usually sufficient, as a Kristaps Porzingis dunk with simply over 5 minutes shortened the Bucks result in 21-17. However Milwaukee completed the primary quarter on a 20-6 run, and continued the onslaught as soon as the second quarter started. Jayson Tatum and firm went fully chilly within the second body, scoring simply 15 factors whereas giving up 34 to the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 18 factors on the half, greater than Tatum, Porzingis, and Derrick White mixed.
By the point the buzzer sounded for halftime, the Bucks had opened a 37-point lead, the biggest first half margin within the NBA up to now this season. It was the biggest first-half deficit for the Celtics since 1967, and the second-largest within the historical past of their franchise.
The Celtics Basically Gave Up At Halftime
THE CELTICS FACE THEIR LARGEST HALFTIME DEFICIT SINCE 1967 😳 pic.twitter.com/Mv2Zd8rsJ3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 12, 2024
Issues had been so dangerous, that head coach Joe Mazzulla made an entire lineup change on the half. As a substitute of seeing Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the remainder of the starters, Mazzulla emptied the bench and had the substitutes take over for the third quarter. In response to the sideline report on TNT, the beginning 5 was completed for the night time as Boston waved the white flag attributable to an insurmountable lead by Milwaukee.
The dominant efficiency was a lot wanted for the Bucks. They entered the sport having misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games, together with two towards the Pacers and the latest towards the Jazz, and had fallen to a full 4 video games again of the Celtics within the Jap Convention standings.
However the win will assist shut the hole. As for Boston, it’ll mark their second loss within the final three video games, with the win approaching Wednesday night time in extra time towards the Timberwolves, which was probably the offender for the drained legs. They’ll fly house after the sport and take a time off earlier than enjoying towards the Rockets on Saturday.
