The first basket scored by Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon against the Bucks on Thursday didn’t look particularly impactful at a glance.
With just over a minute remaining in the first quarter, Brogdon — who missed his first two shots — dribbled to the top of the key, pursued by both Jevon Carter and Jae Crowder. Carter split off to go defend Grant Williams in the corner, leaving Crowder with the Brogdon assignment.
Crowder was not up to the task. Brogdon took a quick crossover, Crowder opened up defensively, and Brogdon had a free lane to the basket.