Bucks defeat Celtics 131-125 in OT for 11th straight win – Boston News Weather Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jrue Holiday netted a season-high 40 points and grabbed a 3-point go-ahead with 25.2 seconds left in overtime as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the undermanned Boston Celtics 131-125 on Tuesday and their 11th win scored in a row.

Giannis Antetokounmpo added 36 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists as the Bucks (40-17) edged the Celtics (41-17) in the Eastern Conference table within half a game.

Boston played without its two All-Stars – Jayson Tatum (non-COVID illness) and Jaylen Brown (fractured face) – as well as Marcus Smart (sprained right ankle) and Al Horford (right knee swelling).

The Celtics still almost earned their fifth straight win.

Wisconsin native Sam Hauser made a game-determining 3-pointer from 29 feet with three seconds left to force overtime. Boston’s Derrick White then scored the first five points of overtime.

The Celtics still had a five-point lead with two minutes left, but the Bucks scored the last seven points of the game.

Holiday stole the ball from White and dunked to reduce Boston’s lead to 123-122 with 1:32. After each team took two free throws, Holiday’s 3-pointer finally put the Bucks ahead.

Grant Williams lost the ball on Boston’s next possession, Grayson Allen got the steal and a clear path foul was called on the Celtics with 3.2 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo made the following two free throws and crowned the goal with a dunk on the buzzer.

White, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, led the Celtics with 27 points. Brogdon added 26 and Mike Muscala had 18.

Khris Middleton had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks.

TIP INS

Celtics: Boston lost despite a 27-10 lead in turnovers. … Mike Muscala got his first technical foul of his career in the third quarter for saying something to the Bucks bench after dipping in the third quarter.

Bucks: Antetokounmpo’s nine assists brought his career total to 3,271. He is one behind Paul Pressey for career franchise leadership. … Antetokounmpo and Holiday won’t be the only Bucks representatives at the All-Star Game this weekend. Johnny Watson, the Bucks’ executive producer of arena and event presentations, will direct and produce in-game entertainment at the All-Star Game for the eighth year. Bucks disc jockey DJ Shawna and in-game host Melanie Ricks will share the same roles at the All-Star Game.

NEXT

Celtics: host Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The Celtics will be looking to complete a four-game regular-season series sweep.

Bucks: Thursday in Chicago.

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