Jayson Tatum led the charge for the Boston Celtics as they fended off a late surge from the Milwaukee Bucks to secure a hard-fought 122-119 victory.
The Celtics surged to a commanding 21-point lead late in the third quarter, only for the Bucks to mount a spirited comeback, outscoring Boston 36-21 in the final period and setting up a tense finale.
Reflecting on the match, Tatum acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in the fourth quarter but emphasized the importance of securing the win. “It was ugly. We didn’t play the way we wanted to in the fourth quarter and they went on a run,” Tatum commented. “No lead is safe in the NBA. But a win is a win and we’ll take it.”
With this victory, the Boston Celtics, sitting atop the Eastern Conference, extended their winning streak to seven games, boasting an impressive record of 55-14, with an 11-game lead over the second-placed Bucks.
Despite missing star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks put up a valiant effort, with Damian Lillard leading the charge with 32 points, supported by Bobby Portis, who contributed 24 points in Antetokounmpo’s absence.
In other NBA action, the Miami Heat edged past the Cleveland Cavaliers with a narrow 107-104 victory, while the Sacramento Kings cruised to a comfortable 123-89 win over the Toronto Raptors.
The Indiana Pacers showcased their dominance with a commanding 122-103 triumph over the Detroit Pistons, while the Western Conference leaders, the Oklahoma City Thunder, delivered a convincing 119-107 victory against the Utah Jazz.
Source: BBC Sports
