The Boston Celtics rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half, and pulled away in the final few minutes for a 116-108 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal. The series is now all tied at 2-2 and will shift back to Boston for a pivotal Game 5 on Wednesday night.
For the second straight game, the Celtics fell apart for a few minutes in the third quarter, and had to dig themselves out of a hole. But unlike Game 3, when their comeback was ultimately for naught, they finished the job. They outscored the Bucks 43-28 in the fourth quarter, and took the lead for good on an Al Horford 3-pointer with 5:40 remaining.
And after Jayson Tatum struggled to the tune of ten points on 4/19 shooting in Game 3, the three-time All-Star matched Horford’s 30-point performance in Game 4.
It was a win where the character and resiliency of the team were on display. Despite Robert Williams’ absence, Jaylen Brown in foul trouble, and the Celtics not playing particularly well, they stayed within seven entering the final frame. Then came one of their best quarters of the series.
Now, for a deep dive into Boston’s 116-108 win in Game 4.
Al Horford got Boston on the board with a floater from deep in the paint following a pick-and-roll with him and Smart. A couple of minutes later, Jayson Tatum put Brook Lopez on a poster with a thunderous jam in transition. That trimmed the Celtics’ deficit to 8-4.
TATUM WITH AUTHORITY 🔨 pic.twitter.com/ubb23f92NH
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 9, 2022
A little more than halfway through the frame, Jrue Holiday and Brown traded threes, bringing the score to 16-11 in favor of Milwaukee.
A couple of minutes later, after a poor decision from Grant Williams, trying to make a cross-court pass that got picked off by Holiday, there was no resistance on a drive from Allen. His layup extended the Bucks’ advantage to 21-11, prompting Ime Udoka to take a timeout.
Antetokounmpo and Brown scored the game’s next four points, and Grant Williams swished a three off the catch from the right-wing that made the score 29-27.
GRANT WILLIAMS BEATING THE SHOT CLOCK! pic.twitter.com/JIzfgltCEm
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 10, 2022
Horford is the veteran on this Celtics team, and is often talked about as a calming presence — someone who has been through it all and can help the team stay even-keel in difficult moments. And he did do that at various points early in the game on Monday night. But down the stretch he also played a much different role from an emotional standpoint.
When Horford put Giannis on a poster, it wasn’t just an incredible highlight; it was an emotional lift for a team that had struggled to get anything going for nearly two full games in Milwaukee.
Horford made five of them, going 5 of 7 for his best 3-point shooting game of the season. It was the first time he’s made five 3s in a game since last January, and it came at a perfect time for the Celtics.
“Al, its like I said we know we can get him a certain shot every time,” Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said. “I told him to be extremely aggressive. … It’s all series. They’re guarding him a specific way. Any time you have Lopez that far back in drop you can literally run a pick-and-pop any time you want and get a wide open 3 at least.”
The Celtics did run plenty of pick-and-pop, but they also used other tactics to get Horford open looks. At times he would spot up in the corner — “we like to hide him in certain areas on the court,” Udoka explained — forcing Lopez into a no-win situation. If Lopez stayed attached to Horford, it would open up the rim, and if he went to protect the rim it would open up Horford.
