NBA Playoffs: Celtics and Grizzlies strike back to level up respective series

Boston, Massachusetts - Jaylen Brown found his range with 30 points and Jayson Tatum added 29 as the Boston Celtics squared up their East semifinals series against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 109-86 win on Tuesday.

Jaylen Brown (r.) passes the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during Game 2 of the East semifinals.
Jaylen Brown (r.) passes the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during Game 2 of the East semifinals.  © USA TODAY Sports

Brown shot four-of-13 for 12 points in Game 1 but shook that off with a masterful first-half display, scoring 25 of his 30 points before the main break, going nine-of-10.

The Celtics led 65-40 at half-time and held off the reigning champions' best efforts to get back into the contest.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 28 points, with nine rebounds and seven assists, and Jrue Holiday added 19 points but shot seven-of-20 from the field and one-of-six from beyond the arc.

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The Bucks only managed three triples for the game, while Boston landed 20-of-43 beyond the arc, along with 24 points from turnovers.

Brown also had five rebounds and six assists to go with his 30 points, while Grant Williams chimed in with 21 points for Boston, who was without Marcus Smart (quad injury).

Grizzlies tie it up

The Grizzlies' Ja Morant celebrates at the end of a hard-fought win over the Warriors.
The Grizzlies' Ja Morant celebrates at the end of a hard-fought win over the Warriors.  © USA TODAY Sports

Ja Morant starred with 47 points as the Memphis Grizzlies edged the Golden State Warriors 106-101 to also level up their series at 1-1 at the FedExForum.

Morant shot 15-of-31 and made five triples among his 47-point haul, along with eight rebounds, eight assists, and three steals as the Grizzlies got home after scores were locked at three-quarter time.

Stephen Curry did not shoot at his best, making 11-of-25 from the field and three-of-11 from three-point range for his 27 points with nine rebounds and eight assists.

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Jordan Poole added 20 points off the bench, while Klay Thompson could only manage 12 points with three steals. Draymond Green returned after his Game 1 ejection with 10 rebounds.

The Warriors shot seven-of-38 from three-point range, going at 18.4%, with Thompson making only two-of-12 from beyond the arc.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports

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