The Boston Celtics aim to stay unbeaten as they face the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. Boston’s strong starts have propelled them to a 3-0 record this season. They’ve scored 118 points in the first quarter across three games, including a 42-point first quarter in their 124-118 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. This impressive start surpasses the 1991-92 Golden State Warriors (114 points) and the 2013-14 Minnesota Timberwolves (112 points) for most first-quarter points in the first three games of an NBA season.
Despite their hot start, the Celtics nearly let the game slip against the Pistons, who erased a 23-point first-half deficit and took an 88-86 lead late in the third quarter. Boston shot 35.9% from the floor in the second half but managed to close the game on an 18-6 run. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 37 points.
Milwaukee, on the other hand, is coming off a 115-102 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. The Bucks were within five points through three quarters but were outscored 32-24 in the fourth. The Nets pulled away with a 10-0 run early in the final period. Milwaukee has now lost two straight after an opening win against Philadelphia.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, shooting 7 of 11 from the field. Damian Lillard added 21 points but struggled from three-point range, hitting just 1 of 7. Bobby Portis contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. However, the Bucks’ 18 turnovers proved costly.
Monday’s game will test both teams’ ability to bounce back and maintain their early-season form. The Celtics look to extend their unbeaten streak, while the Bucks aim to rebound from consecutive losses.
