While the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 to tie their playoffs series at 2-2, Jayson Tatum doesn't want his teammates to forget that they are facing the reigning NBA champions.

Things won't get any easier for the Celtics in their attempt to take the series lead, and so Tatum and the rest of Boston have to be ready for that.

“They're the defending champs. They know what it takes. They aren't going to lay down or give us anything. I'm excited to get home and to play in front of our fans,” Tatum said, per NBA insider Keith Smith.

True enough, Boston cannot be too complacent or even relax for a little bit. They are facing a Bucks team that has been through the ups and downs of the postseason, and if there is anything they have proven, it is the fact that they can bounce back from losses and deliver during high-pressure situations.

Remember: this is the same Bucks franchise that fell 2-0 to the Phoenix Suns in last year's NBA Finals only to respond with four straight wins.

The Celtics still have homecourt advantage, something that they hope will give them some edge come Game 5 at TD Garden. Beyond that, however, Jayson Tatum knows they need to maintain the momentum they currently have to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

Al Horford played well on Monday, while Jaylen Brown had a rather pedestrian outing by his standards. If the Celtics want to go up 3-2 in the series, Tatum and co. have to deliver.