Bucks' Jabari Parker breaks out of funk with 17 points in Game 3 against Celtics

Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker wanted more minutes. 

He got them in the team's 116-92 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the first-round series at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Friday.

Parker played 30 minutes and 13 seconds, scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

He played just over 24 minutes over the first two games and vented some frustration about that on Thursday.

The fourth-year player also vowed to be a better teammate, saying that learned from his desultory attitude at the start of the series.

Parker definitely played with energy and enthusiasm in Game 3.

He showed hustle on defense: blocking two shots, making a steal and even drawing a charge.

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Evidently, Parker also learned not to cause a distraction.

Parker declined to speak after the game, saying he had a meeting with the team and it was decided that it was better for him not to talk with reporters.

Parker's teammates sung his praises after the game. 

"He was a professional tonight," Bucks guard Khris Middleton said. "He's had a rough start to the series. But we've all talked to him. We know that we need him (and) try to let him know that we need him. 

"It starts with him. Within. His mind has to be right when he checks into the game. It's not just about scoring. It's not about him. It's about the team. We need him to be part of the team for him to be successful and for him to be successful.

"Game 2 was a rough night for him. Game 1 was also. But he bounced back tonight. He was professional. He played on both ends tonight and that's what we expect from him. He's that type of guy. A dangerous guy, a dangerous scorer and can be one great teammate."

Parker checked into the game for Middleton at the 5:20 mark of the first quarter and received a warm response from the sellout crowd of 18,717 fans.

Parker missed his first shot but racked up his two blocks against Celtics center and former teammate Greg Monroe.

Parker then found his groove over the second and third quarters, hitting 6 of 9 shots in that span. 

He scored seven points in a 51-second span in the third quarter to give the Bucks a 76-57 lead and send the crowd into delirium.

"(Jabari) was huge for us tonight," Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova said. "He just came in a brought a lot of energy on both ends of the floor.

"He was dynamic as a roll man on pick-and-rolls. He was running the floor, knocking down shots. We're going to need that from him the rest of the way."

Parker's play pleased Joe Prunty, one day after the forward said he might not be on the Bucks coach's good side.

"He played very well," Prunty said. "Jabari impacted the game in regards to putting him in and not trying to force anything. (He) allowed the game to come to him, and we had a good rhythm going. Everybody that stepped on the floor just continued that.

"For Jabari, those are the things we need. We'll need the effort, energy and hustle plays. He's not just a guy that has to score for us. He can make a lot of plays in passing and rebounding. He played very well."