Two games into their best-of-seven series with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Celtics have dominated the backcourt matchup.

Starters Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier have outscored their counterparts, Eric Bledsoe and Tony Snell, 96-25, one of the reasons why the Celtics hold a 2-0 lead over the Bucks.

And now, it’s getting a bit snippy.

After Rozier referred to Bledsoe as Drew Bledsoe following Boston’s Game 1 win – it’s unclear if he simply made a mistake – the Bucks guard reciprocated on Tuesday night after Game 2. Asked by a Milwaukee reporter about Rozier not having a turnover in his first two games – or 78 minutes of playing time to be precise – Bledsoe replied, “Who?” Upon hearing Rozier’s name again, Bledsoe said, “I don’t even know who the (expletive) that is.”

Celtics fans are certainly getting to know Rozier and Brown.

Brown had 30 points and Rozier added 23 in Tuesday’s 120-106 victory in Game 2 when Bledsoe had his second subpar game (12 points on 5-for-13 shooting) and Snell scored only two points.

The Brown-Rozier duo combined to make 20 of 26 shots and hit 8 of 17 shots from 3-point range. And for the second game in a row, Rozier did not turn the ball over, a span of more than 78 minutes.

“I got the chance to start in the playoffs and I’m playing with a great group of guys,” said Rozier. “I just want to keep it going. We’re out there having fun.”

Brown, who came off the bench in the playoffs as a rookie last year, is taking full advantage of his prime-time role this year.

“I think Jaylen loves the moment,” said Coach Brad Stevens. “I think he really appreciates the opportunity to compete on this stage on this level.

“We’ve seen him against the better teams in the league all year be able to really raise his level in some of the biggest games. Obviously he’s gaining more experience by the minute. He did a great job of picking the right spots to attack.”

A third guard, Shane Larkin, also made key contributions to the win in Game 2, scoring 11 points with three assists in 20 minutes. Larkin hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter after rushing from the backcourt.

“He attacked, beat people off the dribble on a number of occasions and played really aggressively,” said Stevens. “He made a ton of big plays.”

 

CELTICS GUARD Marcus Smart revealed before Tuesday’s game that his 63-year-old mother, Camellia Smart, has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and that he went to Texas last week to visit her.

Smart said that his mother wanted him to return to the Celtics and get ready to return perhaps next week from thumb surgery he had in March.

Gordon Hayward is in Indiana where he is working with a running specialist at the St. Vincent Sports Performance.

“We’re just trying to get him ready for Friday’s game and we’re hopeful he can play,” joked Stevens.

Stevens said that Hayward worked out there when he prepared for the NBA draft out of Butler.

“He worked with some of those trainers in the predraft stuff and one of the doctors he’s been consulting with,” said Stevens. “There’s a lot of familiarity there. It seems like the next logical step.”

It doesn’t mean, however, that Hayward is anywhere near being close to a return after his gruesome ankle injury last October.