The Milwaukee Bucks blew a 20 point second half lead Sunday afternoon, but got a tip in by Giannis Antetokounmpo with five seconds left to defeat the Boston Celtics 104-102 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in game four of an Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. The best of seven series is now tied 2-2.
The Celtics trailed 65-45 with 7:37 left in the third, but was able to get back within eight points by the end of the quarter. Boston had come all the way back when Marcus Morris made a driving layup with 9:03 to play in the fourth to tie it 77-77. Milwaukee increased the lead back to seven with just under four minutes to play, before Boston made their last run. The Celts eventually took the lead at 100-99 on a Jayson Tatum jumper with 52 seconds left. Boston had a chance to increase the lead, but a turnover and a Malcolm Brogdon three pointer with 33 seconds remaining on the clock made it 102-100 Bucks. Al Horford tied it back up with two free throws with 29 seconds to go, leading to the Antetokounmpo tip in. Morris had a chance to tie it at buzzer, but his jumper wouldn’t go.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 34 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Tatum had 21 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Horford and Morris had 13 points a piece. Horford added nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Antetokounmpo had 27 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for Milwaukee. Khris Middleton added 23 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Jabari Parker added 16 points and seven rebounds.
Game five will be played in Boston Tuesday night at TD Garden.
