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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Banged-up Celtics fall just short in overtime against Bucks

By Alex Barth

For a few minutes there, it looked like the Celtics were going to pull off what would have unquestionably been their win of the year. Down four starters in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford and with their fifth starter Robert Williams limited, the C’s still went down to the wire against the red-hot Milwaukee Bucks, who had won 10 games in a row coming into this one.

Leading for most of the game, by as many as 14 points at one point, the Celtics fell behind late, but forced overtime on a last-second three pointer from Sam Hauser. In overtime, they once again jumped out to an early lead but couldn’t hold it, as Milwaukee came back to win 131-125.

  • The biggest problem for the Celtics came on defense, and an inability to stop Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday finished with a game-high 40 points, including seven of Milwaukee’s 15 points in overtime. He shot 13-of-21 from the floor, and 8-of-12 from three. In addition to his scoring he had seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals including a decisive one late in overtime.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo was impactful as well. He finished just shy of a triple-double with 36 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists. On the defensive end, he had a pair of blocks.

    Point guards Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon led the way in gaining the lead then keeping the game close for Boston. White – coming off of a week where he won Eastern Conference Player of the Week – scored a team-high 27 points and had 12 assists. Brogdon had 26 points off the bench.

  • Overall though, it was a pretty well-rounded effort from Boston’s second unit. Hauser was a rebound shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. Grant Williams did get the double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Mike Muscala continues to make an immediate impact – he had 18 points and eight rebounds. Blake Griffin had another good shooting game, finishing 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-6 from three, finishing with 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

    The loss ends a four-game winning streak for the Celtics, and drops their record to 41-17 on the season. Milwaukee is now just half a game back in the Eastern Conference standings.

    Now, the Celtics have just one game left before they head out for the All-Star break. They’ll be back at TD Garden on Wednesday night, completing the second half of a road-home back-to-back against the Detroit Pistons. Coverage of that one begins at 7 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Celtics Radio Network.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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