BOSTON, MA- Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks survived a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to win 110-107 against the Boston Celtics.
Milwaukee jumped out to an early 9-2 lead. However, Boston responded with an 8-2 run to cut their deficit to one.
The first quarter was close as the Bucks entered the second quarter with a 28-26 lead, and Jrue Holiday scored nine points in the quarter.
Boston went on a 7-0 run to go up 37-32 with 8:25 left in the half. However, the Bucks scored six points to be down by two points.
The Celtics did go on an 11-0 run to have a 51-38 lead with 3:46 left in the first half.
The Bucks cut their deficit to single digits thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 15 points in the second quarter.
However, Boston entered halftime with a 54-47 lead.
The Bucks went on a 10-2 run, but Boston had a 60-59 lead with 6:51 left in the third quarter. Boston responded with a 9-4 run to take a six-point lead.
Boston then went on a 10-2 run to take an 81-70 lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
By the end of the third quarter, Jaylen Brown scored 16 points, and the Celtics entered the fourth quarter with a 86-77 lead.
After two free throws from Bobby Portis, the Celtics went on a 7-0 to take a 93-79 lead to open the fourth quarter.
Hot Fourth Quarter
The Bucks inched closer to Boston as they would cut their deficit to two points (101-99) with 3:47 remaining in the game.
Tatum made an 18-foot jump shot to give Boston a 103-99 lead. Al Horford then made a putback dunk to provide Boston with a 105-99 lead.
Giannis responded with a 3-pointer to cut Boston’s lead to three points. Jrue Holiday made a wide open three point jumper to tie the game.
Tatum went for a layup but was fouled by Portis. Tatum makes both free throws to give Boston a two-point lead. Giannis was then fouled and sent to the free-throw line.
He made his first free throw but missed his second. Portis grabbed the offensive board and made a layup to give Milwaukee a 108-107 lead with 11.4 seconds left in the game.
Marcus Smart had an open lane to make a layup, but Holiday blocked Smart and knocked the ball off of Smart’s body to give the Bucks the ball.
Giannis inbounded the ball to Pat Connaughton, and Connaughton made both free throws. Boston tried to push the ball up the court but Holiday stripped the ball from Smart to win the game.
Giannis finished the game with 40 points and 11 rebounds. Holiday had a near triple-double with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
“We trust one another,” Giannis said. “I think the game slowed down for us. We wasn’t in a rush. You know, we tried to get what we wanted to get and there was a lot of open guys that made open shots.”
Giannis was then asked about Bobby Portis’ 14 points and 15 rebounds.
“That’s big. He’s going to keep playing well,” Giannis said. “We got another game in two days and he is ready to compete. I love playing with him, I love being out there with him and he always gives his all to the team.”
Boston Stunned
The Celtics nearly won this game but couldn’t finish the game.
Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, as well as had six rebounds and four assists. Jaylen Brown followed with 26 points and eight rebounds.
Boston will have a difficult job to do which is to win their next game on the road. Especially in this predicament since they are one loss away from their season being over.
Milwaukee attacked the Celtics on the boards as the Bucks would have 49 total rebounds. That includes 17 offensive rebounds to Boston’s five.
Boston only had 36 rebounds and has to avoid the Bucks second-hand opportunities to get a bucket for the next game.
Up Next
The Milwaukee Bucks will try to close the series out at home against the Boston Celtics on May 13. The time is to be determined.
