Celtics Christmas Plans Canceled by Giannis, Milwaukee

Starting the game, Jaylen Brown shot 6-7 with 14 points in the first quarter to go along with 35 points and a 13 point lead going into the second quarter. Giannis was held to just 7 points in the first half and found his team down 17 at the half. Payton Pritchard also had 11 in the first half along with playing some great defense.

Jaylen Brown (7) hits a jumper over Pat Connaughton (24).

Looking to come back, Giannis led his Bucks team right back into the game in the third quarter, scoring 17 with Milwaukee scoring 43 that quarter to close the gap even more. Hoping their young stars take over, the Celtics relied heavily on Tatum and Brown in the fourth quarter. They shot 10 times total making only 3 buckets and allowed Giannis and the Bucks to come back and take their first lead of the game with 30.3 seconds left thanks to a clutch 3 point jumper by Wesley Matthews. The Celtics wouldn’t score again. After 2 free throws from Kris Middleton, the Milwaukee lead was 116-113 with just under 20 seconds left. With 8.4 seconds left, Robert Williams went up for a dunk over Giannis who turned around, jumped up, and rejected the ball causing a turnover. Milwaukee ball. Kris Middleton hit another free throw and iced the game for Milwaukee, who went on to win 117-113.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) soars in to finish a dunk late in the game.

NOTABLE STATS:

BOSTON:

J. Tatum: 25 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST

R. Williams: 11 PTS, 14 REB, 71.4FG%

M. Smart: 19 PTS, 7 AST

J. Brown: 25 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST

P. Pritchard: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 42.8FG%

MILWAUKEE:

G. Antetokounmpo: 36 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST

K. Middleton: 17 PTS, 7 AST

J. Holiday: 17 PTS, 5 REB, 4 STL

B. Portis: 16 PTS, 10 REB, 46FG%

Boston (16-17) face off against the Timberwolves on 12/27 while Milwaukee (22-13) heads over to Orlando for the matchup against the Magic on 12/28.

---

ALL IMAGES ARE FROM Getty Images