Jaylen Brown bounced back big in Game 2

BOSTON — He is the other J. The All-Star, but not the MVP candidate. The scorer but not the scorer. When high profile trade rumors have come up (Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard), Jaylen Brown has been the subject, not Jayson Tatum

Despite his long tenure as a Celtic-the second-longest in club history-Boston was glad to have Brown on Tuesday. Game 2, the Celtics’ season on the line, their best defender, Marcus Smart, on the bench and Brown went off, racking up 25 first-half points (30 overall), dished out six assists and collected five rebounds.

“We have been a bigger, [more physical team] all year,” said Ime Udoka. It irritated me that we didn’t react when they were physically aggressive. We adjusted well, we learned some things from Game 1 … we haven’t been outmuscled like that all year. I think our guys took that to heart. I knew we would come out with the right effort to tonight.”

When did they ever. After being punched in the mouth in Game 1, Boston came out swinging. It was 18–3 midway through the first quarter. It was 65–40 at the half. Grant Williams made six threes off the bench for the Celtics, who still shot 43 threes (46.5%). They took the midrange shot when it was offered. “We welcome those shots,” said Udoka.

They attacked the paint. In Game 1, Udoka said Boston showed too much respect to Milwaukee’s rim protectors. “We felt like we let them off the hook,” Udoka said. After making just 10 two-point shots on Sunday,

the Celtics made 18 in Game 2. “It’s not Wilt Chamberlain out there,” Udoka said. “We can go downhill and attack.”

the Celtics made 18 in Game 2. “It’s not Wilt Chamberlain out there,” Udoka said. “We can go downhill and attack.”