The Celtics took the lead early, but the Bucks soon took control and did not give up. Milwaukee held strong in a great stretch in the third when John went to the bench with four fouls. The Boston attack, meanwhile, was difficult in the first game. The team finished 28 of 84 shots (33 percent) in defeat, including just 10 2-point goals. He was startled when Marcus Smart left late in the second quarter with a spur from his shoulder, but returned to a very natural fight.
The defending champions lined up against Boston as an underdog, and without All-Star striker Khris Middleton, most likely the entire series. Game 2 is set for Tuesday.
