Jayson Tatum scored 31 points as the Boston Celtics held off a late fightback from the Milwaukee Bucks to win 122-119 in their top-of-table Eastern Conference clash on Wednesday.
Boston had looked to be cruising towards their seventh straight victory after dominating Milwaukee for long periods of Wednesday’s showdown at the TD Garden.
Exploiting the absence of injured Bucks talisman Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Celtics surged into a 21-point lead late in the third quarter after Milwaukee had closed to within five just after half-time.
But a blistering fourth quarter performance by Milwaukee — who outscored the Celtics 36-21 in the final frame — set up a nerve-shredding finale before Boston squeaked home.
“It was ugly,” Tatum admitted afterwards. “We didn’t play the way we wanted to in the fourth quarter, and they went on a run.
“No lead is safe in the NBA. But a win is a win and we’ll take it.”
Boston improved to 55-14 with the victory, leaving them a hefty 11 games clear of the second-placed Bucks.
The Celtics now need just three more wins to be assured of top seeding and home court advantage through the playoffs.
Even allowing for the fourth quarter wobble, few would bet against them returning to the NBA Finals in June after a performance which once again showcased their balanced offense.
Five Boston players finished with double-digit points tallies, including Derrick White (23), Jaylen Brown (21) and Kristaps Porzingis (17). Payton Pritchard added 19 off the bench.
“We’ve just a really complete team,” Tatum told ESPN.
“On any given night, obviously we’ve got the starters, but the guys off the bench are making an impact. It’s a long season and you need that.”
Although the playoffs — and the prospect of a record 18th NBA title — are looming into view, Tatum said Boston were still focused on the short term.
– ‘Long way to go’ –
“We’ve been playing great all season, but we’ve still got a long way to go,” Tatum said. “I like the way that we’re trending, but we’re just focused on getting better every single day.
“We’re not looking to the playoffs. We’ve got a game on Friday against Detroit — and that’s the mindset that we’ve got to have.”
With Antetokounmpo absent, Milwaukee’s challenge was spearheaded by Damian Lillard, who finished with 32 points while Bobby Portis added 24 off the bench.
In other games on Wednesday, the Miami Heat produced a barnstorming finale to pip the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-104 on the road in Ohio.
Miami led for most of the game but Cleveland crept into a four-point lead with 1min 34sec remaining in the fourth.
The Heat’s Terry Rozier rattled off nine points in the closing stages including a crucial 26-foot three-pointer with 15sec remaining to restore Miami’s advantage and see the visitors home.
Rozier finished with 24 points while Jimmy Butler led Miami’s scorers with 30.
“That’s the most important thing, just getting the win,” Rozier said afterwards. “My team-mates and coaches do a great job of reminding me daily, night-in, night-out, who I am and just to be that. Happy we got the win.”
Miami improved to 38-31 with the victory and sit in eighth place in the East. Cleveland remain third in the table at 43-26.
Elsewhere Wednesday, the Sacramento Kings eased past the Toronto Raptors 123-89, while the Indiana Pacers swatted aside Detroit 122-103.
Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City meanwhile breezed past the Utah Jazz 119-107, with Chet Holmgren (35) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) combining for 66 points.
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