Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 3 vs. Bucks

1. Turnovers lead to transition baskets

No matter who you play, you’ll want to limit turnovers. When you turn the ball over, you eliminate any opportunity to score the ball and you allow the other team to get out and run for easy baskets.

Turning the ball over when you already struggle to score the ball is not something this team can afford to do. Now add in the fact that the Bucks are a a team that likes to get out and start running and you have a recipe for disaster.

Antetokounmpo is most lethal when he’s in the open court and running for easy baskets. His long strides and lengthy arms wreak havoc on anyone who dares to step in front of him — just ask Aron Baynes about that.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/987530206037577733

This wasn’t in transition, but you get the idea of what it’s like if he’s in the open court. Plus, if Antetokounmpo believes he doesn’t want to take the shot in transition, there’s almost always another player open for 3 or an easy layup because the defense is so drawn to him.

In Game 3, Boston gave up 18 turnovers that led to 20 Milwaukee points. There are players other than Antetokounmpo who can get up and down the court too, including Bledsoe, Parker and Middleton.

It was the turnovers that allowed Milwaukee to get going so fast to start the game. If the Celtics want to win this series against the Bucks, they’ll need to take care of the basketball. If they fail to do this, they’ll find that it’s hard to win games.

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In Game 4 on Sunday, Boston has to keep possession and not give the Bucks any easy looks to fire up the home crowd.