(From the Daily Dime Live) “Zach Lowe (Celtics Hub) – And we are tied entering the 4th quarter. If you’re a sub-.500 team who plays hard, you are almost guaranteed to play the C’s close in Boston this season. It’s uncanny.”

Unfortunately for the Bucks, that doesn’t necessarily result in wins.  Yes, playing hard is great and coming close against the Celtics is fun, but ultimately losing sucks.  While this game wasn’t nearly as frustrating as the Cleveland Blowout last Sunday, it wasn’t very satisfying to see the Bucks put it together when they needed it most.  If they got a stop, they couldn’t get a bucket.  If they got a bucket, they couldn’t get a stop.  Ultimately they blew it over a two and a half minute stretch in the fourth.

The most difficult thing to swallow about this stretch is the Bucks inability to even get a shot up.  Two turnovers by Andrew Bogut and one from Brandon Jennings. That’s the just the strength of the Celtic defense.  Sure, Bogut burned them for 25 points, but when push came to shove, the Celtics ramped it up a notch.  On Jennings turnover in particular the Bucks looked especially passive and Jennings looked like a rookie for certain.  Kevin Garnett jumped out and looked mischevious like he always does and Jennings looked rattled before coughing it up on a double dribble.  That’s the kinds of mental breakdowns that solid veteran teams to not make.  In time my friends, in time. Read more…

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 9-10

(Likely) Inactives: Joe Alexander, Francisco Elson and Michael Redd

at

Boston Celtics (Doc Rivers) 16-4

(Likely) Inactives: Glen Davis, Marquis Daniels and Tony Allen

Date: 12/8/2009

Game time: 6:30 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Match-Ups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Rajon Rondo

Rondo is one of those point guards who doesn’t shoot very well, only it doesn’t matter because he’s so freaking good.  He’s nearly as quick as anyone in the league and has terrific size and athleticism for a point guard.  He takes over half of his shots at the time and hits 69 percent of them.  That’s a recipe for disaster for the Bucks defense … unless they can foul him before he finishes.  When I say Rondo can’t shoot, it really is clear when you take a look at his free throw percentage.  A career 62 percent shooter, Rondo is down to 40.6 this year.  For a point guard!  Some how he’s only shooting a touch over one per game despite taking it to the rack being his preferred offense.  After passing to Allen and KG that is.  It will be a tough night for Brandon Jennings, as Rondo is also the league leader in steals per game at 2.5.

Advantage: Celtics Read more…