In a thrilling match, the Boston Celtics overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-107 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum led the charge for the Celtics, scoring 31 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out six assists. His pivotal free throws with just under six minutes left allowed Boston to take the lead for good.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo shone for the Bucks, scoring a season-high 43 points alongside 13 rebounds and five assists, it wasn’t enough to secure a win. The Bucks have now faced a challenging stretch, losing eight of their last nine games, which has raised concerns about their performance.
The game started in favor of Milwaukee, which quickly established a strong lead with a 16-2 run. They maintained an edge throughout the first half, closing it with a 69-58 score, marking their highest-scoring half of the season. However, their fortunes shifted dramatically in the second half as the Bucks struggled to score, managing only 15 points in the third quarter—their lowest for any period this season.
The Celtics found their momentum early in the third, launching a 12-0 run that included a three-pointer by Al Horford, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. Despite the Bucks attempting to regain their composure through multiple ties and lead changes, Boston consistently responded to each challenge.
Key contributors for the Celtics included Payton Pritchard, who scored 18 points, while Jrue Holiday and Derrick White added 15 points apiece. Jaylen Brown, returning from a hip injury, chipped in with 14 points, showcasing Boston’s depth and resilience.
The Bucks’ Damian Lillard struggled with his scoring, finishing with 14 points but connecting on only one of his eight attempts from beyond the arc, a continuation of his recent shooting woes.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are set to host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, while the struggling Bucks will face the Toronto Raptors on the same day.
This game highlights the resilience of the Celtics, who showcased their ability to overcome adversity and rally together as a team, while also presenting a pivotal moment for the Bucks to regroup and reassess as they face a crucial stretch of games.