Paul George scored 25 points and Derrick White added 24 as the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 109-102 on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at TD Garden, extending their home record to 5-0.
George made five 3-pointers and added five assists, while White recorded seven assists and went 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. Boston improved to 6-2, while Milwaukee fell to 1-7 and remained winless in four road games.
The Celtics built a 22-point lead in the second quarter and went into halftime ahead 62-41. Milwaukee cut the deficit to eight entering the fourth after outscoring Boston 38-25 in the third.
Tyler Herro scored 18 of his 25 points in the third quarter, helping the Bucks make their strongest push. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 18 points, while Ryan Rollins finished with 13.
Milwaukee eventually took its first lead at 92-91 after Nate Ament tied the game at 91 with a layup and then made a free throw. Ament scored 10 points, including the basket that erased Boston’s advantage with 8:17 remaining.
Boston responded after losing Payton Pritchard to a right eye abrasion in the fourth quarter. White converted a three-point play to put the Celtics ahead 102-97 with 2:22 left, and Boston outscored Milwaukee 12-5 over the final three minutes.
Baylor Scheierman contributed nine points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Boston. Neemias Queta added nine points and 12 rebounds, while Mitchell Robinson had 10 rebounds in 20 minutes.
Jayson Tatum missed his first game of the season due to rest after scoring 19 points in Monday’s 109-93 loss to Houston. Boston shot 41% from 3-point range, making 16 of 39 attempts.
The Celtics begin a four-game road trip against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, Nov. 6. Milwaukee hosts the Toronto Raptors the same night.
