Celtics vs. Bucks score, highlights: Boston uses hot shooting and defense to earn Game 2 win
The Celtics have evened things up in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with an impressive win over the Bucks in Game 2.
A red-hot first half set the tone for the Celtics, who shot 20 of 43 (46.5 percent) from 3-point range in the game. Jaylen Brown scored 25 first-half points before finishing the game with 30 points. Jayson Tatum added 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting and Grant Williams sank six 3s off the bench to score 21 points in the game.
For Milwaukee, the offense just wasn’t there. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored five points in the first half before scoring 23 points in the final two frames. As a team, the Bucks shot 3 of 18 (16.7 percent) from 3-point range.
We have you covered with live updates, highlights and more from all the action below.
Celtics vs. Bucks Game 2: Live score, updates and highlights
(All times Eastern.)
Final: Celtics 109, Bucks 86
That’s how you bounce back ✅ pic.twitter.com/WZAiyIZnlx
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 4, 2022
9:30 p.m. — The Celtics look like they’re going to put this one away.
Back-to-back 3s from Jayson Tatum and Grant Williams give the Celtics a 107-86 lead and the Bucks call for time.
Tatum finishes the game with 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting while Williams ends his night with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 shooting from 3-point range.
9:25 p.m. — With 2:51 left in regulation, the Celtics hold a 99-86 lead.
Boston has had answers to Milwaukee’s runs, which could prove to be too little in this one.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is up to 23 points in the second half and the Celtics have cooled down from beyond the arc. It’s the recipe that’s allowed the Bucks to make things interesing.
9:20 p.m — Milwaukee is chipping away.
With 4:30 remaining in regulation, the Celtics lead 94-82.
9:06 p.m. — Just over three minutes into the third, the Celtics hold a 88-71 lead.
Jaylen Brown’s 28 points lead all scorers as Boston looks to hold off a late Milwaukee comeback attempt.
End of Third Quarter: Celtics 83, Bucks 66
8:57 p.m. — Through three, Boston holds a 17-point lead.
Jayson Tatum is up to 19 points in the game, including a couple of electrifying plays.
And the foul ✅ pic.twitter.com/Jj3Hb9X7ot
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 4, 2022
After a rough first half, Giannis Antetokounmpo shot 8 of 11 in the third to bring his total for the night to 23 points.
8:50 p.m. — The Celtics have responded.
After the Bucks began to chip away, the Celtics responded to get the lead back out beyond 20 points.
Boston leads 81-60 with just over two minutes remaining in the third.
8:40 p.m. — Milwaukee looks to chip away but Boston’s defense isn’t making it easy.
The Celtics lead 72-56 with 4:49 remaining in the quarter.
Giannis Antetokounmpo now has 12 points in the quarter to bring his total to 17 points for the game.
8:31 p.m. — As we approach the midway point of the third quarter, the Celtics remain in control.
Boston leads 72-52 with 6:32 left in the third.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has 10 points in the third and is now up to 15 points (on 6-of-17 shooting) to go along with four rebounds and four assists in the game.
Giannis showing some intensity. 😤 pic.twitter.com/9j98NS4tC2
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 4, 2022
After a red-hot first half, Jaylen Brown has yet to score in the third.
Halftime: Celtics 65, Bucks 40
8:00 p.m. — One half is in the books and the Celtics are in command.
Jaylen Brown is up to a game-high 25 points on 9-of-10 shooting while Grant Williams has scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and Jayson Tatum has 10 points on the night.
As a team, Boston is shooting 23 of 39 (59.0 percent) from the field and 13 of 20 (65.0 percent) from 3.
For the Bucks, the struggle continues.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has five points on 2-of-12 shooting from the field and Jrue Holiday leads the way for Milwaukee with 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting
7:53 p.m. — It’s been all Celtics in the first half as they hold a 51-33 lead with 3:36 remaining in the half.
Boston’s defense and red-hot shooting have limited Giannis Antetokounmpo to just two points up to this point in the game.
7:39 p.m. — The Celtics are red hot.
Boston is 8 of 12 from 3-point range, led by 4-of-4 shooting by Jaylen Brown, who is up to 20 points in the first half. Brown is the only player in double figures up to this point on the night.
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
4-for-4 from deep for Jaylen Brown (20 PTS).#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/7rfXiOuYBt
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2022
The Celtics lead 42-25 with 6:58 remaining in the half.
For Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo is 1 of 10 from the field. As a team, the Bucks are shooting 10 of 26 from the field and are led by Jrue Holiday’s seven points.
End of First Quarter: Celtics 32, Bucks 21
7:26 p.m. — The first quarter is in the books and it was a good one.
The Celtics were led by Jaylen Brown, who scored 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, including this nasty move.
Jaylen Brown is a bad man pic.twitter.com/4nJ1HGvMKs
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 3, 2022
The Bucks withstood a few shots from the Celtics to cut the deficit to 11 points to end the quarter. Jrue Holiday led the way for Milwaukee with seven points while Giannis Antetokounmpo scored just two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
7:12 p.m. — You couldn’t have mapped up a better start for the Celtics.
Led by seven points from Jaylen Brown, Boston is out to an early 15-3 lead over Milwaukee.
Comin’ out hot 🔥 pic.twitter.com/T4LTIezhdP
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 3, 2022
The Bucks are shooting 1 of 10 from the field and Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed all six of his field goal attempts early on.
Pregame
6:35 p.m. — The Bucks will go with a starting lineup of Jrue Holiday, Wesley Matthews, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez.
Same 5 tonight vs. Celtics.
🏁 @Audi pic.twitter.com/1mqwa1RoGB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 3, 2022
5:50 p.m. — Starting for the Celtics: Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Robert Williams III.
Starting lineup feat. @Dwhite921 pic.twitter.com/JZX56gUahz
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 3, 2022
5:00 p.m. — The Celtics will be without Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, who has been ruled out with a right thigh contusion.
#NEBHInjuryReport update:
Marcus Smart (right thigh contusion) – OUT
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 3, 2022
What channel is Celtics vs. Bucks Game 2 on?
In the United States, Celtics vs. Bucks Game 2 will air on TNT. In Canada, the game will be broadcast on TSN.
Viewers in the United States can stream Game 2 on Sling TV.
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Celtics vs. Bucks start time
- Date: Tuesday, May 3
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT
Game 2 of the Celtics vs. Bucks series will tip off around 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 3. The game will be played at the TD Garden in Boston.
Celtics vs. Bucks schedule, TV channels
Here is the complete schedule for the second-round series between the Celtics vs. Bucks.
Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel (US) | TV channel (CA) |
May 1 | Game 1: Milwaukee 101, Boston 89 | |||
May 3 | Game 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TNT | TSN |
May 7 | Game 3 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC | TSN |
May 9 | Game 4 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT | TSN |
May 11 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD | TBD |
May 13 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD | TBD |
May 15 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary