First quarter 20-to-2 run by Celtics was the turning point in Game Seven


The Boston Celtics came away with a 112-96 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks last night to close out the first-round series.

The most critical point in the game came with 5:14 remaining in the first quarter. Boston was down 15-to-10 when things started to change. The Celtics went on a 22-to-2 scoring binge in the final minutes of the first period.

It started with a Terry Rozier put-back, followed by five points via Jayson Tatum on a layup, a jumper and one foul shot. Marcus Smart scored on a layup - Aron Baynes had a tip-in and a layup before Tatum was fouled and hit two free throws.

Shane Larkin hit three foul shots in a row, two for the foul and one for a technical called on Milwaukee. Baynes finished the surge with a jumper, making for 20 points for Boston in the final 5:14 of the first quarter.

Milwaukee's only answer during that span was a layup by Eric Bledsoe. The quarter ended with the Celtics leading 30-to-17. They never trailed in the game again and coasted to a win. That scoring run was truly a team effort and turned the game in Boston's favor, and the guys never looked back.



Follow Tom at @TomLaneHC

Photo via Charles Krupa/AP

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