Joe Mazzulla stopped the question. Before the game against the Bucks on Wednesday, a question described the Celtics' double-digit lead in the Eastern Conference as comfortable.
Mazzulla interrupted, saying there is no such thing as comfort in the NBA.
Then, the on-court version of that happened.
The Celtics might have become too relaxed on Wednesday night. They established a 21-point lead over the Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite maintaining a consistent mindset throughout the season, the Celtics seemed to think they could easily win. However, the Bucks, despite their inconsistencies this season, have recently shown to be stronger.
Even without Antetokounmpo, it seemed like the Celtics had missed an opportunity to learn from a potential playoff matchup. Nonetheless, the Celtics faced and overcame a significant challenge. Their comfortable lead was suddenly reduced to one possession in the final minutes, but the Celtics managed to secure a 122-119 victory over the Bucks.
Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and Derrick White added 23 points as the Celtics emerged victorious for the seventh consecutive time, extending their lead in the Eastern Conference to 11 games with 15 remaining. Leveraging a strong performance from the bench by Payton Pritchard and methodical play, the Celtics controlled most of the game before facing a sudden offensive slump in the fourth quarter.
Suddenly, they had to withstand a surge from Damian Lillard, Bobby Portis, and the Bucks. Portis scored eight straight points – interspersed with two missed free throws from Jaylen Brown – narrowing the Celtics' lead to three with 2:56 remaining, leading to tense moments at TD Garden. However, the Celtics remained composed and concluded with a 6-2 run, capped by a Kristaps Porzingis putback, to regain control.
Lillard responded with a step-back 3-pointer, and Portis' floater brought it back to a two-point game with 33 seconds left. However, Brown was fouled in the ensuing play and successfully redeemed himself by making both free throws, ultimately securing the win.
