The Bucks dominated from the beginning of the game, and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Boston Celtics 135-102. The Celtics had played overtime the night before, which may have contributed to the fatigue.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 24 points, while Damian Lillard scored 21 points for the Celtics. The Bucks got off to a strong start, leading by as many as 37 points in the first half.
The Celtics were able to cut the lead to 10 points in the third quarter, but the Bucks pulled away again in the fourth and won by 33 points.
The Celtics were also outscored by the Bucks 52-38. It was the second consecutive year the Bucks won against the Celtics.
The Celtics had won the previous 182 games in which they led, but the Bucks were able to break that streak with a strong defense and a dominant performance from Giannis.
Overall, this was a dominant performance by the Bucks and shows they are one of the best teams in the NBA.
Shaquille O"Neal and the Inside the NBA team report on Thursday"s showdown between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee.
Bucks Manager Charles Barkley has emphasized in recent weeks that Milwaukee"s poor defense helped them win the game.
"It’s no time for panic. All this talk and they’re still in second place. … I’d rather be perfect toward right after the All-Star Game. A lot of teams are perfect now and then they fall off."
Shaq on the Bucks 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/HCDKssAMlz
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 12, 2024
The Bucks are 1-4 in their last five games, losing 132-116 at home to the weak Utah Jazz on Monday. They will be tested by the Celtics, who have the best record in the entire NBA (29-8).
When Barkley tried to worry about the Bucks" defense, Shaquille O"Neal interrupted him.
"The Bucks are gonna beat the Celtics tonight. They’re gonna beat ‘em by double digits. GUARANTEED!"
.@SHAQ: "[The @Bucks are] gonna beat the Celtics tonight. They’re gonna beat ‘em by double digits… GUARANTEED!" 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/EOKrPyt4aV
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 12, 2024
Milwaukee lost 41-23 due to strong performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. The two-time MVP already has nine points, four rebounds and two assists.
Lillard had 10 points, three assists, and two rebounds. They lost to the Jazz in their next game.
If they overlooked the Utah Jazz, Shaquille O"Neal and the NBA"s internal staff should now notice that they are fully focused against the Celtics.
Playing for the second night in a row, Boston looked sluggish from the start.
The Bucks took advantage of this early in the game. In recent weeks, Shaquille O"Neal has pointed out that the Milwaukee Bucks" defense needs to make timely stops.
After the first quarter, Shaq better be right, or this will be an embarrassing loss for the Bucks".
Jayson Tatum scored 45 points in a win over the Utah Jazz. He scored four points on 1-4 shooting.
The Bucks are on a 24-0 run in Milwaukee! 🦌
📺 Celtics-Bucks on TNT pic.twitter.com/pCkv0EpIz5
— NBA (@NBA) January 12, 2024
The second quarter begins. The rested Bucks should worry about playing well to make sure Shaquille O"Neal"s guarantee is fulfilled.
Fans reacted as follows:
maybe they just aren't that good
— Shaun (@Shaun_nbd) January 12, 2024
Celtics need to panic. Gonna give up 150+
— Paul Fladten (@paulfladten) January 12, 2024
That's how you know bro won a ring
— Carbonite 13 (@carbonite_13) January 12, 2024
Bucks can’t beat Celtics even if Celtics had played 3 games in a row
— Klay davi © (@onedrop_in) January 12, 2024
Whenever Charles says Celtics going to win the opposite happens. Fingers crossed that they do but I cringed as soon as he said it
— saarin keck (@saarin_keck) January 12, 2024
Bet against what ever Chuck says " I guarantee "
— Just John (@nosezme) January 12, 2024
I’m convinced Shaq knows ball better than any other player.
— Rick (@BipolarFinance) January 12, 2024
He just said no team is like the Celtics right now and goes off saying Bucks gonna win them
— AKid47 (@AKid47N8tive) January 12, 2024
Real the reason was because @celtics played last night in overtime with @Timberwolves so today they are tired 😴
— Luis Aquilino Rodríguez (@LuisAquilinoRo2) January 12, 2024
Never know. Celtics are tired from OT game last night. But still rooting for Celtics as long as KP can play and play aggressive
— Blondedude (@Blondedude3) January 12, 2024
Gonna have to start calling Chuck "Domino's", because his guarantees are about as likely to happen as your pizza coming hot and fresh in 30 minutes or less.
— Aaron D (@Raiderneveryway) January 12, 2024
TNT special all hyped up for the #1 team in the East to be down 30 and the 2nd q just started. Awful product.
— Matty (@mattycoverss) January 12, 2024
Who at the nba decided to have the best team in the league on back to back nights face #1 team in west and #2 team in east ? Not to mention travelling aswell
— Flawless Sports (@Flawless_Sports) January 12, 2024
The Celtics are about to end the Bucks streak Tatum and Brown are unstoppable
— Random Bullshit Go!!!! (@eliteseniordev) January 12, 2024
If I'm coach Joe I'll pull Tatum & brown not even worth it celtics clearly have no legs from a tough overtime game
— OC-🅶🅰🅼🅸🅽🅶 (@reed_oc) January 12, 2024
