The Celtics were able to even the series against the Bucks with a pair of triples from Jayson Tatum. (0:41)
The Celtics needed their two stars the most. Jaylen Brown got things going.
The Celtics came out with a different attitude on Tuesday, controlling the game from the opening tip and leading wire-to-wire in a win.
Brown said that they knew they had to come out and play like their season was on the line.
Brown had a playoff-career-high six 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 30 points. He set the tone for the team as they looked to bounce back from their poor performance in the first game.
Celtics coach Ime Udoka said that they adjusted well after the first game. We haven't been outmuscled like that all year. I think our guys took pride in that, took that to heart, and we knew we would come out with the right effort tonight.
Brown had 25 points in the first half, leading that charge. Boston opened up an 18-3 lead and never looked back.
Brown said it was the playoffs. Every game is important.
The Celtics made only 10 two-point field goals, a franchise low for a playoff game or a regular-season game. The team deviated from the mid-range game. Brown hit three mid-ranges early on to set the tone for the game.
Udoka spoke to Brown and Tatum before the game.
Udoka said that they knew those were open. We have two really elite mid-range shooters and we welcome those shots when they are back in that drop.
Grant Williams said he knew hours before the game started that Brown was going to have a big night.
Williams said that he saw it in his eyes at the start of the game. He established that tone and set the mark of aggression on the offensive end, not only knocking down open shots but also moving it.
While Brown was leading the charge early, Tatum took care of things late, scoring 19 of his 29 points in the second half.
Brown was going to be ready for a big night, according to Tatum. He knew that his team was ready to bounce back.
We knew we had to play better after how we played last game.
The Celtics did a better job of making life difficult for Antetokounmpo than they did of playing stellar defense. He scored 28 points, but he was only 11-of-27 from the field and 5-of-9 from the line.
Budenholzer said credit was due to the Celtics defenders for how they guarded him.
Budenholzer said that the guys on him are good, good defenders and that they need to see and feel it. I think it is a little bit of both. He always figures things out.
When a reporter told Antetokounmpo what Budenholzer said about figuring things out, he said he tried. I try to figure it out.
Antetokounmpo said they are going to be physical. They are going to be more physical. It will not be a lot of fouls called, there will be more active, more disciplined, but at the end of the day, it is the same mentality. Good plays are made. Get in the paint. No matter what they do, my mindset and the team's mindset cannot change.
Marcus Smart sat out with a quad contusion and Boston got things done defensively. The Celtics are hoping that he will make his return to the lineup on Saturday after three days off.
Udoka said he pulled Brown a minute earlier than the rest of the team because he had played 38 minutes. Brown said that he would be ready to go for Game 3 and that injuries are something every player has to deal with at this point in the season.
The only thing that matters is the playoffs. At this time of year, everyone has nagging injuries or things that they are dealing with, so can't let that be an excuse. You have to find a way to overcome whatever it is and get it done.
Brown was curious as to how the team would respond after sweeping the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. The response was going to be positive.
The game isn't going to be perfect. The first game they punched in the mouth. I knew we would be ready tonight. Making adjustments from game to game is what the playoffs are about.
This report was contributed to by an athlete.
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