Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 5 vs. Bucks

3. Celtics’ defense the key to victory

Boston’s trademark defense was alive and well in Game 4, as it limited the Bucks to just 36.8 percent shooting from the field as well as 27.3 percent from distance on 33 attempts.

Granted, the Celtics’ percentages weren’t much better, with a shooting line of .420/.323/.750 (on 31 attempts from 3). However, a low scoring, defensive minded game plays exactly into Boston’s preferred style of play.

It’s no secret that the C’s struggle to put points on the board, ranking 20th in points per game during the regular season, and that was with All-Star Kyrie Irving contributing 24.4 a night.

On the defensive side, Boston is one of the best at preventing points, ranking No. 1 in defensive rating throughout the season.

Keeping the opponent below 100 points on awful percentages like they did in Game 5 takes pressure off Boston’s offense, as they don’t really have any elite scorers outside of Irving, who’s out for the playoffs after having surgery in April.

Forcing Milwaukee to get into a defensive slugfest bodes well for the Celtics, as the Bucks don’t have the discipline to defend at a high level like the C’s. If Boston can score the bare minimum of points needed in any given game, the defense is what will allow it to ultimately bring home the W.