Jayson Tatum scores 34 points, Celtics beat Bucks 111-105 to spoil Khris Middleton’s season debut
BOSTON– Jayson Tatum had 34 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics held on to beat the Bucks 111-105 Friday night in Khris Middelton’s season debut for Milwaukee.
Jaylen Brown added 25 points as the Celtics made 17 3-pointers to earn their 10th win in 11 games.
Damian Lillard finished with 31 points for Milwaukee, which has lost two straight since winning a season-best seven points. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30 points and 11 rebounds on his 30th birthday.
Middleton had 11 points and five assists in 23 minutes after missing the Bucks’ first 21 games while recovering from offseason ankle surgeries.
Boston led 107-102 after a Jrue Holiday floater when Brown was called for a foul on a 3-point attempt by Middleton, who made all three free throws.
Two free throws from Holiday put Boston ahead 109-105. Antetokounmpo then turned the ball over, leading to an Al Horford layup.
Bucks: Middleton’s return marked just the 43rd time he, Antetokounmpo and Lillard played together. The Bucks’ ability to integrate Middleton, recently on the rise, could determine their chances of competing in the East.
Celtics: This was another milestone victory for a team that has beaten the Bucks in all three meetings this season.
The back-and-forth between Antetokounmpo and Brown added another chapter Friday. Early in the third quarter, Antetokounmpo leaned his shoulder on Brown as Antetokounmpo walked by on his way to throw the ball inbounds. Brown then returned the favor by running onto the court and was whistled for a technical foul. The trade followed a similar incident during Boston’s Nov. 10 win at Milwaukee.
The match featured 11 ties and 14 lead changes. Neither team led by more than eight points.
The Bucks visit Brooklyn on Sunday. The Celtics host Memphis on Saturday.
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