The Thunder Were Already in Dire Straits!!

After the Thunder's game ended, the other second-round playoff matchup scheduled for June 8 got underway right afterward.

The Celtics versus the Bucks in Game 2 of the second round.

For the Celtics, this was a must-win game!

They had already lost a home game in Boston. If they lost another, the series would become very difficult for them.

After all, as the team with the better record, if they lost their first two home games right at the start of a series, then statistically speaking, their chances of winning it would become vanishingly small.

So tonight, the Celtics came out with plenty of fight and determination, putting the Bucks under considerable pressure.

As for the Bucks, their intentions were pretty clear too.

Early in the game, after trying again to target Brown and finding that it wasn't working very well, Buden decisively gave up on Game 2.

For the Bucks, managing to steal a win on the Celtics' home court was already more than enough...

Perhaps they should have been grateful that fans couldn't attend the playoffs in person this year. That meant they didn't have to face Boston's terrifying fans. In a way, that was definitely an advantage for the Bucks.

But giving up on Game 2 didn't mean they wouldn't play, nor did it mean they would let the game turn into garbage time early.

For Buden, his task during the remaining time in Game 2 was to experiment extensively: keep adjusting the lineup and the strategy, and see whether his ideas would actually work once they were put into practice.

Having the chance to experiment over an entire game was extremely valuable.

It would benefit the Bucks' planning and execution throughout the series.

So the two teams reached an unspoken understanding, and apart from the first