NBA: Bucks take 2-1 lead, Golden State routs Memphis

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Milwaukee Bucks survived a late rally from the Boston Celtics to grab a 2-1 Eastern Conference semifinals lead, 103-101, while the Golden State Warriors bounced back from a disappointing Game 2 loss and demolished the Memphis Grizzlies, 142-112, in their Western Conference semifinals duel.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks showed why they are the NBA defending champions.

The former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) took charge and bullied his way against the Boston defense and finished the ball game with 42 huge points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.

Antetokounmpo was immediately on attack mode from the get-go and sliced through Boston’s tough interior defense every time he grabbed the leather on the break.

Jrue Holiday’s terrific two-way performance also helped Milwaukee fend off the balanced Boston attack and was responsible for Jayson Tatum’s 4/19 shooting from the field.

Despite the loss of superstar scorer Khris Middleton, The Bucks still found a way to shoot decently from the outside courtesy of Pat Connaughton’s three made treys that answered Boston’s runs in the second half.

The Celtics clawed their way back in the final canto and even took the lead, 100-99 with 1:49 remaining in the game after Jaylen Brown sank both of his free throw attempts.

However, Antetokounmpo once again came to the rescue after scoring a clutch layup with 44 seconds left to give the lead back to Milwaukee.

Holiday then provided the last clutch play for the win after burying a right-handed looping floater to extend the Milwaukee cushion to three, 103-100.

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors responded with a much-needed sense of urgency and annihilated the Memphis Grizzlies to take a 2-1 series lead.

Blasted by their own head coach Steve Kerr due to their poor shot selection during their Game 2 loss, Golden State showed much-improved ball movement and garnered 34 assists compared to Memphis’ 21.

It was an early scare for the Warriors after the Grizzlies immediately established a double-digit lead in the first quarter as Ja Morant and Jarren Jackson Jr. sank a barrage of contested three-pointers just like what they did during Game 2.

However, Andrew Wiggins kicked off the Golden State offensive party and was aggressive going to the hole to help his team regain their composure and got back within striking distance.

The “death trio” of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole then took care of business and combined for 78 points: 30, 21, and 27, respectively.

Golden State’s hot-shooting and tremendous defense then swelled the lead up to 25 in the fourth quarter which caused Memphis’ head coach Taylor Jenkins to wave the white flag with five minutes left in the game.