The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks squared off on Thursday in what was predicted to be an entertaining matchup between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
But as it turned out, the game was unfair to one side. The Bucks displayed their skills as they defeated the Celtics in a decisive game that saw them lead by as many as 43 points.
As anticipated, NBA Twitter was ablaze with excitement even before the game ended, witnessing the league’s best squad being destroyed.
The main topic of discussion was how TNT changed their broadcast schedule because of the blowout’s intensity. The Bucks led 75-38 at the half, having gained a 37-point advantage. TNT searched for far more thrilling action elsewhere when Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla elected to open the game with the players on the bench.
Even Ernie Johnson acknowledged how hard it was to find a different game to broadcast, given that all of the other Thursday night games were blowouts.
Other Bucks supporters were simply having a blast watching their team destroy an Eastern Conference foe.
The Bucks were led by center Bobby Portis of Milwaukee, who ended with a double-double of 12 rebounds and 28 points. Another double-double was added by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. A combined 20 points were scored by Portis and Antetokounmpo during Milwaukee’s 25-0 first-half outburst.
Payton Pritchard ended with 21 points and Sam Hauser had 15 for the Celtics. With little under 16 minutes played, Jayson Tatum had his worst performance of the season, scoring only seven points.
As they get ready to play the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, the Bucks hope to build on their success from Thursday.
