Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks Force Game 7 vs. Jayson Tatum, Celtics
There will be a Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Celtics had a closeout opportunity Thursday evening after securing a 3-2 series lead, but the Bucks followed Giannis Antetokounmpo's lead to secure a 97-86 win at BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Antetokounmpo, who scored a series-low 16 points in Milwaukee's Game 5 loss, finished with 31 points (13-of-23 shooting), 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Antetokounmpo broke out his full arsenal of moves to keep the Bucks' season alive, and the Game 6 package didn't disappoint.
Not only did he break out a flurry of turnaround jumpers from the high post over a series of smaller defenders, but he burned Boston with his signature Eurostep to help keep the Bucks in front after the Celtics erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit and briefly tied things at 61:
That swift foray to the cup encapsulated the success Milwaukee had on the fast break all night.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Bucks outscored the Celtics 34-6 in transition as they finished with the most fast-break points by any team in the playoffs this year.
The Celtics, despite boasting five double-figure scorers, found offense far harder to come by.
Although Jayson Tatum (22 points), Terry Rozier (18 points) and Jaylen Brown (14 points) made solid contributions, the Celtics shot 37 percent from the field and were hurt by an absence of players who could consult their do-it-yourself kit and break down the defense.
Boston's deficiencies were especially glaring late.
After working their way within two, 80-78, with 7:13 remaining, the Celtics mustered only eight more points.
They'll look to reverse that trend when Game 7 tips off Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in Boston.
