Basketball

On Tuesday, April 3, the Boston TD Garden hosted an incredible game that left spectators in awe as the Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics battled into triple overtime, with the home team winning 135-131 in the end.  With a 63-minute marathon that featured everything from bone-crunching physicality to jaw-dropping shotmaking to white-knuckle drama and even a fan incident that threatened to prematurely end proceedings, the Eastern Conference heavyweights reignited their legendary rivalry appropriately. There was a boisterous atmosphere when the nationally broadcast match began at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the Celtics supporters cheering their side on against the reigning champs. Boston jumped out to a 29-19 lead in the first quarter thanks to a flurry of three-pointers.  But before halftime, Giannis Antetokounmpo and company showed their championship toughness by bringing the team back to balance. The Bucks tied the game at 52 points apiece at halftime thanks to the Greek Freak’s strong runs to the basket. In a tight, defence-first contest, both sides traded blows in the third and fourth quarters, with no team able to gain a significant lead. As regulation time was out, the score was still tied at 104-104, setting up a matchup in the extra session that would push both teams’ stamina to the brink.  During the first overtime, Jayson Tatum and Antetokounmpo alternated as the heroes and produced a string of cold-blooded, contested baskets that forced a 112-112 tie after five minutes. A fan ran directly at the Boston bench at the beginning of the second overtime period before being stopped by security personnel. After a pause to make sure everything was safe, play picked back up even faster as both teams used every last bit of energy. In the waning seconds of the game, the Bucks led 127-124 and seemed to have finally delivered the game-winning punch. However, Marcus Smart had other plans. With just 1.3 seconds remaining, he buried an absurd tree to somehow send it to a third overtime at 127-127. The devoted supporters at TD Garden were rewarded with even more unfathomably dramatic action in the pivotal third overtime period as the clock approached midnight. The game turned into an ugly foul fest as players from both teams were visibly tired and cramping up, desperately trying to get the upper hand. With little over a minute left, Jaylen Brown made the greatest play of the game, getting a charge on Giannis to give Boston the crucial possession after Antetokounmpo astonishingly missed three consecutive free throws.  After 63 incredible minutes of playoff-calibre energy, Tatum dutifully made a driving layup, and Bucks guard Khris Middleton’s attempted game-tying three in the final seconds was unsuccessful as the Celtics ultimately triumphed 135-131. Both teams embraced in the middle of the court and grinned broadly, weary, as the buzzer thankfully rang to finish the instant classic. Players from both sides sprawled themselves over benches, tables, and courtside floors as the crowd erupted in thunderous acclaim, trying to recover from the battle of attrition they had just fought.  Ultimately, Boston’s scoring balance was sufficient to outlast Middleton and Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee. Tatum scored 34 crucial points despite going only 6 for 24 from the field, with contributions from Brown and Smart of 32 and 27, respectively. With 24 rebounds and another incredible 41-point performance, the Greek Freak was well supported by Middleton’s 36. However, in the end, the two did not receive enough assistance, and the Celtics were able to make clutch plays thanks to a few extra players.  Boston’s triumph was bittersweet since they lost defensive captain Robert Williams in the first half to what seemed to be a serious leg injury. The big man’s and his team’s reaction to that heartbreaking loss now stands as a major pivotal point in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The losing Bucks will need some time to process their loss and concentrate on prolonging their run of consistent success behind Antetokounmpo. Even if they are heartbreaking, these kinds of games are precisely the type of battle-tested training a team needs to pursue a repeat title.  But more than anything, the Boston-Milwaukee instant classic acted as the perfect platform for the NBA’s unmatched drama and timeless greatness. Fans were treated to a relentless thrill ride showcasing the greatest levels of skill, toughness, and competitive fire from start to finish, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:48 a.m. Every drop of sweat from both sides was left on the recognizable parquet flooring. Ultimately, the Celtics were able to find that extra bit to outlast their opponents in a game that will go down in Boston’s rich basketball history as an all-time classic.   Fans keep shelling out top bucks and dedicating their hearts to this amazing sport because of games like this. Even if winning titles and making it to the playoffs is always the ultimate aim, memorable regular-season games like Tuesday nights are what leave an indelible mark on basketball history.