Kyrie Irving scored 28 points Thursday night, as the Boston Celtics knocked off the only unbeaten team left in the NBA the Milwaukee Bucks 117-113 at TD Garden.
In a closely contested first half the Celtics led by as many as seven in the first quarter, but the Bucks got within 55-53 at the half. Boston (6-2) opened up the lead to their biggest at 15 at the end of the third quarter. Milwaukee (7-1) got within two late, and had a chance to tie it from the line but Eric Bledose missed one of two from the stripe with 12 seconds left, and Irving and Al Horford hit 4-4 from the line in the closing seconds to seal it. The Celtics made a franchise record 24 three point shots in the game (24-55).
Irving filled up the stat sheet in the fourth consecutive Boston win, adding three rebounds, seven assists, a steal, two blocks and hitting 6-12 from three point land. Horford and Gordon Hayward had 18 points a piece, Jayson Tatum 12, and Semi Ojeleye who was playing in place of Jaylen Brown added 10 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 33 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points a piece.
Boston heads out on the road Saturday to begin a five game road trip with a stop in Indiana to battle the Pacers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm.
