Good on ya 'mate!!#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/PD9RGJ7rBC
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 22, 2018
April 23 (UPI) -- Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova added to his defensive reputation by stealing an inbound pass from the Boston Celtics for a layup.
He made the interception in the first quarter of the Bucks' 104-102 win Sunday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wis.
The Bucks led 22-17, with about 1.2 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, when the Celtics prepared to throw the ball in. Celtics forward Marcus Morris stood on the baseline and decided to roll the ball in to guard Shane Larkin.
But Dellavedova was eyeing the play. He sprinted in from out of nowhere and stole the pass. He used his forward momentum to toss the ball up just before the buzzer sounded. The shot bounced off the backboard and went through the net.
Milwaukee closed out the quarter on a 17-5 run.
Dellavedova scored four points and had four assists and three rebounds in the win. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points and had seven rebounds and five assists for the Bucks. "The Greek Freak" also tipped in the go-ahead score with five seconds remaining.
Khris Middleton & Matthew Dellavedova end the 1st in style!@Bucks up 24-17 after one frame in Milwaukee. #FearTheDeer
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2018
📺: #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/zOeMrVemMu
Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 34 points and had eight rebounds for the Celtics.
"I just want to say good job to everybody because everybody played hard," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "Whoever stepped on the floor played hard and played together. The most important thing is that we trust one another."
"I just want to say good job to everybody because everybody played hard. Whoever stepped on the floor played hard and played together." - @Giannis_An34 pic.twitter.com/KK88ClXPoT
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 23, 2018
The first round Eastern Conference playoffs series is now tied 2-2. Game 5 tips off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at TD Garden in Boston, Mass.