Al Horford recorded a double double Tuesday night, to help spark the Boston Celtics to a 92-87 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in game five of an Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics now lead the best of seven series 3-2.
Horford filled up the stat sheet for the C’s with 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Terry Rozier had 16 points, three rebounds, and five assists. Jaylen Brown had 14 points and six rebounds. Marcus Morris added 10 points and eight rebounds. Boston was also energized by the return of Marcus Smart. Smart played some great defense, and also added nine points, five rebounds, and four assists in 24 minutes. The Celtics held an 11 point halftime lead, and led by as many as 16 in the third before the Bucks made a run to get within three points with 19 seconds left in the game. Rozier and Horford combined to go 4-5 from the foul line in the closing seconds to secure the win.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 23 points. Jabari Parker had 17 points and eight rebounds. Eric Bledsoe had 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Giannis Antetokounmpo was held to 16 points, but added 10 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Game six will head back to the Bradley Center in Milwaukee Thursday night.
