Tatum lifts Celtics over Bucks as Giannis’ 43 points fall short
Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 113-107 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, overcoming a 43-point effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the victory, the Celtics improved to 9-2, chasing the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, while the Bucks dropped to 2-8.
Off the bench, Payton Pritchard contributed 18 points for Boston, while Derrick White and former Buck Jrue Holiday each added 15 points. Jaylen Brown scored 14 in a well-rounded team performance. “Team effort,” Holiday said. “It’s not easy doing it by yourself. We did it collectively.”
Antetokounmpo, who also recorded 13 rebounds, had an altercation with Brown, offering to help him up after a fall but then pulling his hand away. “Giannis is a child,” Brown remarked after the game. “I’m just focused on helping my team get a win.”
The Bucks led 69-58 at halftime, but Boston surged ahead 87-84 entering the fourth quarter. Tatum scored seven points in the closing minutes to seal the win. “We just picked up the intensity,” Holiday said of the third-quarter rally.
Boston avenged two losses in Milwaukee last season, providing a boost as they continue their title defense.
(Source: AFP)
